Manchester United To Challenge Spurs To Sign $72M Defender Who Won Copa America With Messi

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly set to compete in the race to sign Copa America winner Cristian Romero.

Apart from the two Premier League clubs, FC Barcelona are also interested in signing Romero, who along with Lionel Messi recently won the Copa America. Romero’s asking price is expected to be around $72 million, reported Italian publication Calciomercato.

Romero moved on loan to Atalanta from Juventus last summer with an option to buy. He made 42 competitive appearances for Atalanta in 2020-21 as he was voted the best defender of Serie A last campaign, where he also scored three goals.

Romero is open to a move to the Premier League, according to the soccer website Teamtalk. Manchester United have a big advantage over Spurs, considering the fact that the Red Devils will play Champions League soccer and Spurs will not.

Romero, 23, had an injury-hit Copa America campaign. He missed Argentina’s opening fixture against Brazil due to a muscular issue before returning for the next two games against Uruguay and Paraguay. Romero missed the following three games, including quarters and semis due to a knee injury but the center-back recovered in time and played 79 minutes. He played a significant part in the final as Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 to win a record-equaling 15^th Copa America title.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is still on the lookout for a world-class partner for Harry Maguire since the Red Devils have not finalized a signing yet. Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane remains one of their top targets and now, Romero has joined him in the list.

Even before the start of the 2021-22 season, Manchester United have suffered an early setback. Their key forward Marcus Rashford is expected to be out until October as the Englishman will be undergoing shoulder surgery.

Manchester United failed to win a single trophy last season. While they fell 12 points short in the league race, they lost the Europa League final to La Liga side Villarreal.