Atletico Madrid want Tottenham defender Cristian Romero in £45million transfer

PLUS: The future of Chelsea loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga, enjoying an impressive loan spell at Bournemouth, is also in question with the Spaniard's future set to be decided

Atletico Madrid are keen to push through a deal for Cristian Romero before the Club World Cup. Diego Simeone's side have made the Tottenham centre-back their top defensive target and they hope to lure the 26-year-old to the Spanish capital for under £45million.

In Madrid, there is growing confidence that the World Cup winner would be keen to move to the Wanda Metropolitano after spending almost four seasons in N17. Atletico are planning to sign two central defenders this summer and have also shortlisted Valencia's Cristhian Mosquera alongside Romero.

Cesar Azpilicueta, Axel Witsel and Reinildo Mandava are all out of contract at the end of June while loanee Clement Lenglet is due to return to Barcelona.

At this moment in time, all are doubts to feature at the Club World Cup and could leave Atletico prematurely during the "exceptional registration window" introduced by FIFA between June 1 and June 10.

Spurs midfielder Rodrigo Bentacur is another player on Simeone's radar but Tottenham's transfer plans are expected to hinge on who is in the dugout next season.

Cherries eye Kepa alternative

Bournemouth chief Tiago Pinto is tracking Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye in case the Cherries fail to land loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga on a permanent basis.

Andoni Iraola's side are set to discuss a deal for the Spaniard with Chelsea at the end of the season. Arrizabalaga recently revealed discussions with his parent club over his future are set to take place "in the coming weeks".

But Bournemouth already have contingency plans in place and they have heavily scouted Udinese's Nigerian international shot-stopper Maduka Okoye as one potential alternative option. Okoye was previously on the books of Watford but made just two cup appearances for the Hornets before departing Vicarage Road in 2023.

Kepa, who is also attracting interest from Europe and the Middle East, penned a one-year contract extension with Chelsea last summer before moving to the Vitality Stadium, however, he is still expected to be available for a cut-price.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto is set to return to the South Coast this summer following his season-long loan spell at Arsenal.