Manchester United are not expected to make a move for Tottenham captain Cristian Romero this summer despite reports on the contrary.
The centre-back's future in north London has been uncertain for some time, first being open to leaving the club last summer amid interest from Atletico Madrid.
The Spanish giants were expected to compete for his signature again this summer, but are now reportedly facing stiff competition from Man United.
Argentine journalist Gaston Edul, who is said to have close ties to Romero, reported on Monday evening that United were "preparing an offer" for the Spurs skipper.
But Press Association and BBC Sport report that Romero is not a target for Michael Carrick this summer.
It remains to be seen if Spurs will entertain selling their captain this summer.
Romero has been a vocal critic of the club hierarchy during two years of underachievement, which has seen Spurs finish 17th in back-to-back Premier League campaigns.
The World Cup winner almost missed the club’s final-day relegation-decider, having instead said to have prioritised the final of the Argentine Championship between boyhood club Belgrano and River Plate.
Romero was promoted by Belgrano on their social media channels in the days leading up to the biggest game in Spurs’ modern history, videoed carrying footballs at the club’s training ground, but was in attendance in north London days later as the club avoided relegation on the final day of the season.
Spurs have been busy strengthening their defence already this summer, with centre-back pair Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke both targets.
Senesi is expected to join from Bournemouth on a free transfer, while a third bid for Van Hecke will be submitted after Brighton last week rejected Spurs' first two.
Van Hecke is reportedly keen to be reunited with De Zerbi, after the pair's time together at the Seagulls.
Spurs also have highly rated teenage star Luka Vuskovic set to return from a loan spell with Hamburg, where his form saw him named in the Bundesliga team of the season.
It is felt that Vuskovic, who will play in this summer’s World Cup, is ready to come in and challenge for minutes at Spurs next season.
But Vuskovic has made no secret of his desire to play alongside his brother, Mario, at Hamburg, who returns from a drugs ban in November.
