Perfect Cristian Romero replacement in sight as Tottenham plot summer raid to sign very solid defender, but huge concern remains over getting deal done

With fresh transfer speculation swirling around Tottenham Hotspur’s defence, it’s understandable that supporters are growing uneasy about what their centre-back pairing could look like next season.

Spurs may have endured a disappointing campaign, but the arrival of Roberto De Zerbi has injected a sense of optimism that the club can still avoid relegation and secure their place in the Premier League. That said, survival is only part of the challenge—De Zerbi could also be forced to navigate a summer of significant squad changes.

Interest is mounting in Tottenham’s current defensive pillars, with both Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven attracting attention from clubs across Europe. Meanwhile, Radu Drăgușin is also being monitored by sides in Europe and the Middle East, raising the possibility of a major defensive reshuffle in north London.

Amid this uncertainty, Tottenham are reportedly exploring reinforcements. According to TeamTalk, the club have identified Giorgio Scalvini as a key target, with growing interest in the Atalanta BC defender. Spurs are said to be carrying out detailed background checks on the Italian international, who is being considered alongside Jan Paul van Hecke—another player admired by De Zerbi.

Tottenham have a history of recruiting defensive talent from Atalanta, having previously signed Romero from the Serie A side. Should Scalvini make the same move and replicate—or even surpass—the Argentine’s impact, it could prove to be another smart acquisition.

However, there are concerns. Despite his obvious quality, Scalvini’s injury record raises doubts about his long-term reliability. The 22-year-old has made 17 appearances in Serie A this season but has already missed 69 days through various injuries. His recent history is even more troubling—he spent 142 days sidelined last season, and the campaign before that was disrupted by an ACL injury.

Given Tottenham’s own ongoing injury struggles—with multiple players currently unavailable—there are valid concerns about whether Scalvini would be a risk worth taking.

Spurs are not alone in their pursuit, either. Newcastle United are also keeping a close eye on the defender, setting up a potential transfer battle in the months ahead.