Manchester United attempted shock move for major Premier League star this summer

Reports within Argentina have claimed that Manchester United held an interest in signing Tottenham centre-back Cristian Romero.

With the arrivals of Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro this summer Erik ten Hag’s side heavily spent on recuirtments in the heart of their defence.

One name who was reportedly also amongst their targets for the position was Tottenham defender Cristian Romero.

Romero, 26, started alongside Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Chile on Friday. Now, according to Argentina-based outlet TyC Sports, that pairing was one United were hoping to bring to Old Trafford this summer.

The report from TyC notes that United, alongside Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain approached Tottenham over the availability of Romero.

All three clubs were reportedly brushed away, with Spurs’ hierarchy insisting he was not for sale at any price this summer.

Despite this rejection, it is expected that clubs will return for Romero next summer, in the hope they have increased bargaining power as the World Cup winner enters the final two years of his deal.

If Romero is to leave Spurs, the report notes it is likely to only be for one of European football’s elite clubs, due to his increased stature in the years since he joined Spurs.

Doubling down on the report, TyC Sports journalist Gastón Edul wrote the following on his X account:

“Cristian Romero had the interest of three teams in this transfer market: Manchester United, PSG and Real Madrid.

“Tottenham responded that they would not sell him. He is essential for Postecoglou. They did not even put a price on him.

“He will have offers again in the next transfer market when Romero only has two years left on his contract.”

Signing for Tottenham in a £42.5 million move, Romero is as of the time of writing Spurs’ fifth most expensive signing in club history.

He alongside James Maddison are one of two vice-captains at the club, deputising for Heung-Min Son.

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