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Daniel Levy facing battle to retain Tottenham star as PL rivals make him look the fool

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Pranav Ravindrannair | Last updated Jul 27, 2025 10:22 AM ET

Daniel Levy could struggle to retain Cristian Romero as Tottenham Hotspur’s Morgan Gibbs-White pursuit fall flat

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is facing mounting pressure, not just from fans, but now from within his own dressing room. After the public collapse of the Morgan Gibbs-White deal, attention has shifted to the future of Cristian Romero, our defensive linchpin and one of the club’s few genuine world-class players.

Nottingham Forest not only blocked Spurs from triggering Gibbs-White’s release clause but also tied the midfielder down to a new contract that publicly made a mockery of Tottenham’s pursuit. The failed move now threatens to send ripple effects far beyond midfield reinforcements.

Romero deserves better and he knows it

At 27, Cristian Romero is entering his peak years. A Copa America winner, a World Cup winner, and now a Europa League champion with Spurs, his trophy cabinet speaks for itself. Yet, even as one of Europe’s most commanding centre-backs, he remains part of a Tottenham side that finished a dismal 17th last season.

Alasdair Gold summed it up best in his recent piece for Football.london. Romero deserves to be rewarded, but more importantly, he needs to be convinced. Convinced that Tottenham are not content with standing still. Convinced that this club, finally with a trophy under its belt, intends to push forward, not settle.

And right now, there are serious doubts about that direction.

Levy’s Words Mean Nothing Without Action

Let’s be honest, the fans are tired of the same old rhetoric. Levy has talked about ambition before, about building something special, about backing managers. Yet, after two underwhelming transfer windows and a public embarrassment like the Gibbs-White U-turn, Spurs look like a club still dragging its feet while our top-four rivals go all in.

And Romero is watching. If Tottenham want him to commit his prime to the badge, then we have to act like a club worthy of his loyalty. A new contract isn’t just about wages, it’s a symbol of commitment and ambition. If we can’t close deals like Gibbs-White and show real progress, why should Romero believe in the project?

With Atletico Madrid lurking and the memory of past stars departing due to broken promises still fresh, Tottenham cannot afford to lose Romero, or his trust. The time to act is now. Offer him a new contract. Bring in players who match his competitive drive. And prove to the fanbase that the Europa League win wasn’t a fluke, it was the start of something bigger.

Because if Daniel Levy doesn’t get this summer right, Spurs risk losing more than just targets like Gibbs-White. We could lose the heart of our defence, and with him, the belief that this club is finally ready to rise.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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