Cristian Romero says Tottenham are the “only club” he wanted to join as he travelled to London on Thursday to finalise his transfer from Atalanta.
The Argentine centre-half is set to sign a five-year deal after Spurs agreed a fee with Atalanta of €50million plus €5m in adds-on (£46.7m) for the 23-year-old.
Footage circulating on social media on Thursday afternoon showed Romero preparing to board a flight to London and he told Italian reporters that Fabio Paratici, Spurs’ new managing director, was influential in his decision to join the club.
Romero was also linked with Barcelona, but the Spanish giants are in financial difficulty and would have been hard-pressed to match Tottenham’s bid.
“I only wanted Spurs because I really like this project,” Romero is quoted as saying by Sky Sport.
“Paratici and the whole club wanted me and I’ll give my best. Premier League is the best way to continue my career”.
Romero helped Argentina to Copa America glory on July 10 and can be expected to take time to bed in, with Spurs starting the season with a visit from Manchester City on Sunday week.
Spurs are hoping to announce the transfer in the next 48 hours and face rivals Arsenal in a friendly on Sunday, although Romero would need to isolate for at least five days at the club if he is not fully vaccinated.
Romero will become Spurs’ second most expensive transfer of all-time behind Tanguy Ndombele, and is their third new addition of the summer after goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini and Spanish winger Bryan Gil.
