Romero is not just another sale. He has been one of Tottenham’s most recognisable defenders, aggressive in duels and central to the team’s edge without the ball. Losing that profile changes the balance of the back line immediately.
For De Zerbi, though, the trade-off appears clear:
That makes this feel less like a financial decision in isolation and more like a tactical one inside a wider rebuild.
The exit of Spence is a different kind of story. He offered pace, running power and flexibility out wide, but reports suggest Tottenham have been willing to move quickly on players who are not seen as core pieces for the new cycle.
Other reports have linked Spurs with further attacking additions, which fits the broader picture: De Zerbi appears to want a squad tailored to his own ideas rather than one patched together from previous regimes.
Reports also suggest Tottenham have already spent heavily on new arrivals, with Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Jean Paul van Hecke named among the players brought in during this window. That creates pressure as well as excitement.
Big turnover can sharpen a squad, but it also brings risk:
The next test is straightforward: how quickly De Zerbi can turn heavy summer movement into a coherent team. Tottenham’s opening game against Brentford will be the first real look at whether this rebuild is already taking shape or still finding its feet.