Romero replacement on the cards: Tottenham “prepared to launch” a £35m offer for a “top-class” defender
Thomas Frank’s arrival as Tottenham Hotspur manager sparked fresh optimism, with the Dane expected to build on last season’s Europa League success.
Brought in to succeed Ange Postecoglou, he was given over £100m to reshape the first-team squad as he saw fit. His reign began strongly, with Spurs even standing as the only Premier League side unbeaten away from home—until that run was halted by Arsenal last week. Tottenham have since failed to win any of their last three matches, conceding 11 goals, including five against PSG in the Champions League on Wednesday.
In response, the club’s hierarchy have turned their focus to strengthening the squad ahead of the January window.
Spurs’ January reinforcement plans
In recent weeks, Tottenham have been pursuing Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, viewed as an ideal addition to boost the attack. The Ghanaian has produced six goals and three assists in the Premier League this season, attracting interest from Arsenal and Liverpool. His price tag has already been set, with a £65m release clause becoming active at the start of 2026.
He is not the only target, with Juventus defender Gleison Bremer also on their radar. According to TuttoJuve, Spurs are “ready to make” a €40m (£35m) offer for the centre-back, who has featured just four times in Serie A this season. The club considers the 28-year-old a strong candidate to strengthen the backline, though it remains uncertain whether Juventus will agree to a sale.
Why Bremer would represent an upgrade on Romero
Frank moved quickly in the summer to form a leadership group to guide his Spurs side, with Cristian Romero included and wearing the captain’s armband whenever he has played. Despite praise for the Argentine, his form has dipped in recent weeks, reflected in Tottenham’s defensive struggles. Against PSG, he played a part in two of the goals conceded—first by putting Pape Sarr under pressure, then by blocking Vitinha’s shot with his hand to concede a penalty.
His underlying numbers have also declined, raising concerns among the coaching staff. A comparison between Romero and Bremer in the 2025/26 campaign so far shows the Brazilian outperforming him in key areas.
Bremer vs. Romero in 2025/26 (per 90 minutes)
Statistics Bremer Romero
Games played 4 10
Goals & assists 2 1
Pass accuracy 89% 88%
Key passes 0.8 0.2
% of tackles won 90% 76%
Clearances 5.8 3.7
Recoveries 4.7 3.7
Aerials won 68% 66%
Bremer’s superior passing and distribution would give Frank greater stability when playing out from the back, while his higher tackle success, increased clearances, better aerial record, and greater recoveries underline his defensive strength.
The numbers reinforce why Tottenham view him as a stronger overall option than Romero. Securing Bremer at £35m would provide Frank with the defensive presence the team has lacked in recent weeks.
