ROM SEEING RED! - Romero facing furious backlash from fas as Tottenham captain 'wants Arsenal transfer'

Cristian Romero is open to joining Arsenal this summer - but Tottenham are adamant their defender will not be crossing the north London divide.

The Argentine wants to call time on his five year spell with Tottenham and there is interest from Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan, but the Gunners too are keen on the centre-half in a move which would spark a furious backlash from Spurs fans.

Despite Romero's stance on the move, Tottenham bosses have made it clear that there is no scenario where they will allow their defender to move to the Emirates, claims The Sun.

A transfer would see Romero emulate Sol Campbell's move from Tottenham to Arsenal in 2001, which remains one of the most controversial transfers in the history of the Premier League. Campbell was a leading light at White Hart Lane but chose to leave when his contract expired, which effectively left Tottenham powerless to prevent the move.

However Romero still has a contract at Tottenham, which has three years left to run, and that puts his club in a strong position when it comes to his future. The 28-year-old's departure is expected but the north Londoners will not be letting him make the 4.5 mile trip to their rivals.

William Gallas was the last man to make the switch, that coming in 2010, but like Campbell his move came upon the expiry of his contract rather than the two clubs actually coming to the negotiation table.

Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi has already signed Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton for £52million with the Dutchman effectively serving a Romero's replacement. Van Hecke is part of a summer spree that has seen the club spend over £200m on new talent, which includes Sandro Tonali.

Atletico have a long-term interest in Romero and any move to the Spanish capital would allow him to work under Diego Simeone, who is known to be a huge fan of his fellow Argentina. He is thought to be readying a £40m bid for Romero.

The La Liga side tried to sign Romero last summer, but former Tottenham boss Thomas Frank convinced the defender to sign a new deal and made him the club captain.

Romero was heavily criticised when it emerged that he was going to miss Tottenham's must win final game of last season. He headed back to Argentina to watch boyhood club Belgrano face River Plate in a title decider, but made a late u-turn and was present for the win over Everton.

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