Man Utd Rule Out Romero Pursuit as Spurs Line Up Van Hecke Replacement

Manchester United have moved decisively to quash reports they are chasing Tottenham's Cristian Romero, with sources confirming the Red Devils are not actively pursuing the Argentine centre-back despite mounting speculation linking the pair.

The 28-year-old Spurs skipper looks increasingly destined for the exit at Tottenham this summer, but Old Trafford will not be his destination. Instead, Erik ten Hag's side are zeroing in on reinforcements across different areas of the pitch.

Romero's stock at Spurs took a significant knock at the tail end of the season when he jetted back to Argentina ahead of Tottenham's final-day showdown—a fixture that still carried genuine relegation jeopardy. The captain's absence, even if injury-related, proved a poor look for the club's hierarchy. Though internal pressure eventually saw him return to offer support and Spurs ultimately secured their top-flight status, the damage to his standing proved lasting.

Brighton's Jan Paul van Hecke has emerged as the man Tottenham are moving to recruit as Romero's replacement. Personal terms with the 26-year-old Dutch international have already been finalised. Spurs have already tabled two bids—the first at £40m, the second at £50m—with a third offer now imminent and expected to clinch the deal.

Recent reports from Spain suggested Manchester United were preparing a £56m approach for Romero, claims bolstered by Argentine football journalist Gaston Edul. However, those links have now been firmly shut down. United's focus lies elsewhere: they are actively hunting for additional midfield cover beyond Ederson, a left-back—with Lewis Hall among those being considered—and left-wing reinforcement.

While Romero may have admirers scattered across Old Trafford, the club's priorities lie in other compartments. A move to Atletico Madrid in La Liga continues to represent the more plausible scenario for the volatile defender, where he could align with Diego Simeone's methods.