Romero, Lautaro and Zanetti call the defender: the salary holds Inter back

The agreement with Tottenham is in place, the player is also available, but the stalemate over wages risks jeopardizing the Romero deal. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter has put negotiations for the Argentine central defender on hold, as Atletico Madrid has made a decisive move for him.

The pressure on the player has been intense: Lautaro Martinez and Javier Zanetti personally contacted their compatriot to convince him to choose Appiano Gentile. The three won a World Cup, two Copa Americas, and the Finalissima against Italy together, and the Nerazzurri captain intervened directly to push Romero towards Milan. The center-back is an explicit target for Chivu, but the financial aspect represents a difficult obstacle to overcome.

Both Inter and the Colchoneros have reached an agreement with Tottenham for around 40 million euros. The difference, however, is the salary: the defender’s entourage is asking for at least 6 million net per season, a figure that is excessive for the Nerazzurri. Atletico Madrid under Simeone, on the other hand, would be willing to meet the player’s demands, thus gaining a concrete advantage in the race for the Argentine center-back.

Romero owes much of his career to Italy: first Genoa, then Atalanta, where he established himself as one of the best defenders in Serie A. Now he is looking for a new challenge, but the next stop may not be Milan.