Stones does not close the door to Romero, but two conditions are needed

The arrival of John Stones on a free transfer does not automatically rule out Cristian Romero, but negotiations with Tottenham remain complex. According to Corriere dello Sport, Inter accelerated for the Englishman precisely when the deal for the Argentine became more complicated than expected.

The demands of the London club were well known: 50 million euros for the transfer fee. The Nerazzurri had nevertheless decided to work on lowering the amount. Further complicating the situation, however, were the financial demands of the player and his entourage. The club from Viale Liberazione did not intend to go above 5 million net per year, while Romero currently earns 6.5 million at Tottenham with a contract valid until 2029.

Inter’s proposal, even on a four- or five-year basis, was insufficient. The commissions requested by the agents were also high, an aspect on which Oaktree maintains a strict line. In summary, the deal risked exceeding the limits the club had set for itself.

Can the deal be considered definitively off? Not necessarily, but in the transfer market it is premature to rule out any scenario. For negotiations to reopen, two conditions are needed: the player and Tottenham would have to significantly lower their respective demands. In addition, Inter would need to find a destination for Benjamin Pavard, for whom there are currently no concrete offers. There is room for maneuver, but not in the immediate future.