Atalanta defender Cristian Romero jets into London to seal £47m switch to Tottenham as Argentine star praises director of football Fabio Paratici for selling ‘project’ to him – leaving him convinced he has made ‘right choice’
- Tottenham are on the brink of sealing a £47million deal for Cristian Romero
- The 23-year-old has impressed in Serie A for Atalanta but is on the move
- He was voted the best defender in Italy’s top flight for the 2020-21 campaign
Cristian Romero flew to London on Thursday evening ahead of completing his £47million move to Tottenham from Atalanta.
The 23-year-old Argentina international centre back was voted the best defender in Serie A last season and was considered the No 1 target of Fabio Paratici, Tottenham’s new director of football.
Romero and his agent Ciro Palermo flew from Bergamo airport where he spoke to Italian media.
Tottenham are now on the brink of completing a £47m deal for defender Cristian Romero
Romero has credited Tottenham’s director of football Fabio Paratici (right) ahead of move
‘Did Tottenham and Paratici want me strongly? I thank them, from the first day they were interested in me, the project they have for me I liked and so for this I chose Tottenham,’ Romero told Sky Italia.
‘Now I have to answer on the pitch, but first I want to thank all of Bergamo and Atalanta and all my team-mates.
‘The coach who made me grow in a way that I never thought, I say thank you to everyone.
‘I am happy to have made a right choice again, I am very happy for the year I did at Atalanta.
Romero (right) believes he is making the ‘right choice’ in moving to the Premier League
‘I thank all of Bergamo, I am sorry to leave it but I have to think about my career and I hope this is a good choice.
‘I have to continue to grow and do so, I have to think about doing well now.
‘It’s been an incredible year for me, I never thought I’d get to this level.
‘Right now I’m thinking that three years ago before arriving in Italy I almost leave football, the Italian championship for me was very important, it made me grow in all respects and I’m very happy to have played here and now I have to continue.
‘The Premier League is a very difficult championship, but I have to be ready to do everything and continue as I have done so far.’
Tottenham remain in discussions over a £15m move for Bologna defender Takehiro Tomiyasu while, Sunderland have held talks over Tottenham’s 19-year-old left-back Dennis Cirkin.
Tottenham are in the hunt for a new centre back after Toby Alderweireld left the club recently