With Bastoni deemed too expensive for Barca, Cuti Romero has also come into consideration

Barcelona have reportedly taken the first steps toward a potential summer move for Cristian Romero, reaching out to the Tottenham Hotspur captain’s camp to explore a deal.

The 28-year-old centre-back is currently sidelined for the remainder of the season after picking up a knee injury in Spurs’ loss to Sunderland AFC. With uncertainty surrounding Tottenham’s situation, there’s growing speculation that Romero may have already played his last match for the club.

According to reports from Sport, Barcelona have accelerated their interest after identifying Romero as a viable alternative to Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan. Concerns over the Italian’s hefty price tag have pushed the Catalans to seriously consider other options, with sporting director Deco now assessing the feasibility of a high-profile move for the Argentine.

There is internal belief at the Camp Nou that a clause in Romero’s contract could come into play if Spurs were to be relegated from the Premier League. With just four matches remaining, Tottenham remain stuck in the relegation zone, increasing the uncertainty around the defender’s future.

However, Barcelona may not have a clear run at the World Cup winner. Atletico Madrid have renewed their interest, with Diego Simeone still keen after failing to secure his signature last summer due to financial constraints. The Spanish side could re-enter the race following their recent squad reshuffling, which saw Conor Gallagher head to North London.

Romero’s future could also hinge on whether new Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi can steer the club away from relegation. If not, an exit appears increasingly likely.

Meanwhile, Barcelona boss Hansi Flick and Deco are convinced Romero has the qualities to strengthen their defence immediately, amid reported interest from Real Madrid as well.