Atletico target Romero says his focus is on Spurs’ survival bid

Cristian Romero has rejected post-season transfer talks and said his priority is to ensure Tottenham Hotspur stay in the Premier League.

Romero returned from concussion on Wednesday to help Spurs secure a morale-boosting 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid, although it was not enough to save the London club from Champions League elimination as they lost on aggregate in the last-16 stage.

Atletico boss Diego Simeone praised long-term transfer target Romero on Tuesday, but the Spurs captain tried to brush the issue aside during a mixed zone interview with Spanish media.

“The truth is that I am focused on the situation we are in,” Romero said after the match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

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«I have a lot of respect and affection for the club and I want to end the season in the best possible way. We will see later, but the most important thing now is to regain energy to help Spurs.»

Spurs produced one of their best performances of a dismal season against Atletico to end a run of eight games without a win and hand under-fire caretaker boss Igor Tudor a first win in charge.

Tudor looked on the brink after a 5-2 defeat in Madrid but a committed performance in a 1-1 draw with Liverpool and their European win have boosted morale ahead of Sunday’s vital visit to relegation rivals Nottingham Forest, with Spurs just a point above the bottom three.

Published on March 19, 2026