De Zerbi dismisses transfer links, gives update on Romero and Vicario
Quick summary
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi addressed speculation linking Cristian Romero and Guglielmo Vicario to Inter and Juventus, denying any contact.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceRoberto De Zerbi has spoken openly about Tottenham’s transfer business, revealing that Spurs are on the verge of landing another top-level signing following their club-record deal for Sandro Tonali, and has hinted that both Cristian Romero and Guglielmo Vicario are free to leave the club this summer amidst links to Inter and Juventus.
What De Zerbi said about Inter and Juventus-linked Romero and Vicario Tottenham have backed De Zerbi with a series of high-profile signings, which have already taken the club’s summer spending beyond the €250m mark.
Tonali became the most expensive Italian footballer of all time for the second time in his career when he joined from Newcastle United a few weeks ago, and he was added to the purchases of Mateus Fernandes, Jan Paul van Hecke and the free transfers for Marcos Senesi and Andrew Robertson.
De Zerbi, speaking to Football London , has hinted that another new signing is on the way, but that there are still several first-team players in the Tottenham camp that could still leave before the window slams shut.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 18: Roberto De Zerbi, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 18, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) “The transfer market, it’s not finished for sure, but we completed 60 per cent of our project in the transfer market. Now we have another bomba!,” De Zerbi said.
Among the players widely expected to leave Tottenham this summer is centre-back Romero, who has plenty of experience in Serie A from his time with Juventus, Atalanta and Genoa. Inter, who have also secured the services of centre-back John Stones , are actively pursuing a deal for Romero as well.
Addressing the Argentine’s future, De Zerbi said: “At the beginning of my time, in April, I had, I don’t know, one million individual meetings! And [the players] told me what was their idea. I said: ‘Yes, help me to stay up, and then I help you to leave’. If you don’t help me to stay up, you stay underwater with me!
“But Romero with me was unbelievable. Top. In his behaviour, his respect, he suffered when he did not play the last game. It is not true that he wanted to leave for Argentina to prepare for their World Cup. It’s not true.
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – JULY 10: Cristian Romero #13 of Argentina attends a training session one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match at Sporting Kansas City Training Centre on July 10, 2026 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images) “After the {World Cup} semi-final we text a message, but I never called him to convince him to stay. I respected what he told me. Like for Vicario, like for every player.
“Romero as a player is one of the best centre-backs in the world, but at the end I said I want to respect the will of the player s.”
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What happened
Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has publicly addressed transfer rumors surrounding goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and defender Cristian Romero, both of whom have been linked with moves to Serie A clubs Inter Milan and Juventus. De Zerbi firmly denied initiating any contact with the Italian clubs, stating 'I never called him.' The update suggests the key players are expected to remain at Tottenham, though the transfer window remains open and situations could evolve.
Chance analysis
De Zerbi's public denial is a standard managerial tactic to stabilize a squad amid transfer speculation, but it doesn't fully close the door. Romero is a high-value centre-back whose potential departure would weaken Tottenham's defense significantly, while Vicario's exit would create a goalkeeping void. The links to Inter and Juventus suggest concrete interest from Serie A, meaning these situations bear monitoring through the window's close.
If the denials hold, Tottenham retain defensive stability; if a transfer materializes, expect significant defensive weakening and a goalkeeper change.
Assume Romero and Vicario remain at Tottenham unless the clubs receive formal offers; treat the rumor as background noise for upcoming match predictions.