Those in a position of power at Barcelona ultimately came to the decision not to pursue a move for Tottenham Hotspur star Cristian Romero this summer, allowing La Liga rivals Atlético Madrid to tie up a deal for his signature.
Stopper Romero has of course seen his name take its place centre stage in the Spanish media headlines across much of the summer window to date.
After word was forthcoming that the Argentine had decided to depart the aforementioned Tottenham, both Barcelona and Atlético were quickly linked with a move for his services.
Ronald Araújo’s recent departure to Liverpool only saw links with the former ramp up, as Romero was tipped to join Pau Cubarsí in a World Cup-winning defensive pairing.
As confirmed by a host of sources over the last 24 hours, though, the 28-year-old is instead Metropolitano-bound, after Atléti agreed to fork out a sum in the region of €40 million to land Diego Simeone’s fellow countryman.
And as since revealed by market insider Fabrizio Romano, this development comes after the Barcelona board, in conjunction with Hansi Flick, ‘decided against the move’.
Conor Laird – GSFN