Manchester United preparing offer for Tottenham captain Romero as Barcelona and Atletico circle

Manchester United are preparing an offer for Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero, according to reports in Argentina, putting them in direct competition with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid for the centre-back’s signature.

Romero, 28, has been linked with a departure from Spurs this summer, and United manager Michael Carrick is understood to be targeting a significant squad overhaul as the club prepares to return to the Champions League in the 2026/27 campaign.

A move to Old Trafford would reunite Romero with his Argentine international teammate Lisandro Martinez. Both players are part of Argentina’s squad for this summer’s World Cup in North America, where the nation will defend the trophy they won in Qatar.

Romero’s last visit to Old Trafford was one to forget. In February, he was shown a red card in the 29th minute for a challenge on Casemiro, and United capitalised on the numerical advantage with goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes sealing a 2-0 win.

Then-Spurs head coach Thomas Frank revealed afterwards that Romero had apologised to his teammates in the dressing room, though Frank was measured in his assessment of the incident. “He was sorry for the incident,” Frank said. “He apologised to his team-mates in the changing room. I think he’s one of the most important players. When he performs at his top, he’s driving the team.”

The red card drew widespread criticism from pundits, though Frank maintained that Romero “clearly tried to go for the ball.”

Romero was also at the centre of a separate controversy near the end of the Premier League season, when he appeared set to miss Tottenham’s final-day relegation decider against Everton while recovering from injury in Argentina. He ultimately reversed that decision and was present as Spurs secured their top-flight status with a 1-0 win.

Carrick, appointed as permanent head coach after United’s season concluded, faces a significant rebuilding task. Adding an established, high-profile centre-back of Romero’s calibre would signal serious intent ahead of their return to European football’s top table.