Tottenham respond to Arsenal transfer interest in Cristian Romero

Arsenal are considering a move for Tottenham captain Cristian Romero (Getty)

Tottenham have ruled out the possibility of selling Cristian Romero to Arsenal , according to reports.

Arsenal are in the market to sign a new central defender before the end of the summer transfer window due to William Saliba ’s back injury.

Saliba played with a back problem during France’s World Cup campaign and although he does not require surgery, Arsenal have confirmed the 25-year-old will be sidelined ‘for an extended period’ .

The Premier League champions have already had a bid for Ezri Konsa rejected by Aston Villa , who are demanding a £60 million fee for the England international .

Arsenal have also considered a surprise move for Tottenham captain Romero but according to The Athletic , Spurs are ‘unwilling’ to sell the Argentina international to their north London rivals.

The report adds that Atletico Madrid have now revived their interest in Romero and a move to Spain is a ‘likelier’ destination for the 28-year-old.

Cristian Romero is looking to leave Spurs this summer (Getty)

Tottenham have also agreed a €40m (£34m) deal to sell Romero to Inter but the Argentine defender has not finalised personal terms with the Italian club, who won Serie A last season.

Speaking this week, Spurs head coach Roberto De Zerbi insisted that he is still planning for the upcoming campaign with Romero as a part of his squad.

‘I texted with Cuti yesterday to make a plan for when he comes back to London but not for the transfer market,’ De Zerbi said.

‘That’s not my job. I know there are many solutions in the transfer market.’

Spurs are open to selling Romero this summer having already signed Marco Senesi on a free transfer from Bournemouth and Jan Paul van Hecke in a £52m deal from Brighton.