Manchester United are considering a shock move for wantaway Tottenham captain Cristian Romero.
The Spurs skipper looks set to depart the north London club this summer following another turgid Premier League campaign.
After winning the Europa League just over 12 months ago, Ange Postecoglou was expected to build on that landmark success but was instead given the boot following a 17th-placed finish.
His replacement, Thomas Frank, lasted just over six months in the job and interim hire Igor Tudor presided over a miserable seven-game spell which saw the club crash out of the Champions League and become embroiled in a relegation dogfight.
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Roberto De Zerbi, eventually, masterminded Tottenham’s recovery and preserved their top lfight status following a win over Everton on the final day of the season.
Romero missed the run-in after suffering knee injury during the Italian’s first game at the helm and with no European football on offer next term, the 28-year-old is angling for a move.
Spain had appeared the most likely destination for Romero, who has recovered from his injury in time to be part of Argentina’s World Cup squad.
Both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid had been linked with a move for the former Atlanta centre-half.
According to reports from Argentine football expert Gaston Edul, however, United are considering a move for a player whose rashness has resulted in five red cards during his four-year spell in England.
United are likely to invest heavily this summer in an attempt to equip Michael Carrick with a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts.
Early exits in both cup competitions last season meant United played just 40 games in total, but qualification for the Champions League means the current squad needs significant reinforcing.
Carrick’s predecessors have spent heavily on the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez and Leny Yoro, but all three have impressed only sporadically with injuries derailing the careers of the Netherlands and Argentina internationals.
Former Arsenal defender Ayden Heaven has proven to be a £1million bargain and Harry Maguire has committed his future to United by signing a new contract.
Further defensive additions are expected but it remains to be seen whether or not United will enter the running for Romero, whose attitude was called into question by Gary Neville last month.
Romero had initially intended to remain in Argentina and receive further treatment on his knee injury, rather than return to London to support his teammates in their bid to beat the drop before a late U-turn.
He said: ‘It’s another something Tottenham fans can look at and think there’s another disconnect.
‘They are coming here today to support their team and the captain or the club is considering not be here for the last game of the season. Bad decision. Poor choice.
‘What are you thinking? Did you not think he’d been spotted back in Argentina? Did you not think he’d be seen as missing in action?
‘It’s symptomatic of poor decision making, it’s something they’ve corrected and he’s going to be here but everyone knows originally the decision was not for him to be here.’