The father of Tottenham captain Cristian Romero has spoken publicly about his son’s contract and the existence of a release clause.
Under the Argentine’s leadership this season, Spurs have endured a horrendous campaign and find themselves looking to avoid a humiliating relegation under new manager Roberto de Zerbi.
Romero is one of the most established players in the squad and was linked with a move away last summer before signing an extended deal in north London.
But talk of a potential exit has ramped up again in recent weeks and now his father, Victor, has revealed details of a release clause.
Victor told Cadena 3: ‘He has two more years on his contract with Tottenham and a very high release clause. The English club won’t let him leave for free; it’s between $50-70m [£37.8m-£53m].
‘For me, they’ll want to recover what they invested.’
Tottenham captain Cristian Romero has a release clause in his contract, according to his dad
Spurs signed Romero in 2021 for £43m from Atalanta and he has gone on to play for the club more than 150 times, helping them to silverware with the Europa League last summer.
His father went on to talk up the possibility of Cristian returning to his boyhood side Belgrano, adding: ‘It’s a bombshell that keeps getting bigger. I wish it were true; as a Belgrano fan and a father, what more could I want, but I don’t know anything.’
Victor then added that even in saying this he is surprised at speculation surrounding Romero leaving Spurs, continuing: ‘Cuti isn’t one to make statements, that’s why it surprises me.
‘I don’t know anything, but in football, anything can happen. Today, you might be thinking about being close to your family, and tomorrow, they put together a team to win the championship, and everything changes. I don’t want to lie.’
Previous reports in Spain have also claimed there is a £52m release clause for Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid or Barcelona to swoop in.
But Romero’s stock is perhaps not as high as it once was, despite his pedigree on the international stage in helping Argentina win a World Cup.
During the recent international break, Romero was asked about his immediate future and he said: ‘Well, the truth is, I’m not exactly having the best time there, and that’s all.
‘I need to get myself together, focus on the club now, get my head around Tottenham.
‘This is tomorrow, trying to get out of this bad situation we’re in, and as always, give my all in every training session and every match, and let’s try to pull through.’
Spurs are desperately hoping the decision to cut ties with Igor Tudor after his disastrous interim spell in charge pays off.
He has been replaced by De Zerbi, who signed a five-year deal with no relegation clause.
Upon joining, the 46-year-old said: ‘I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world.
‘In all my discussions with the club’s leadership, their ambition for the future has been clear – to build a team capable of reaching great achievements, and to do that playing a style of football that excites and inspires our supporters.
‘I am here because I believe in that ambition and have signed a long-term contract to give everything to deliver it.’
Whether that will be in the Championship or Premier League remains to be seen, with Romero’s presence also a feature of increasing uncertainty.
