It's no surprise to see why Lionel Messi was so desperate for Barcelona to make a move for Cristian Romero last summer. Outstanding in his time on loan at Atalanta and deservedly winning the Serie A Defender of the Year gong, the Argentina international was destined for bigger and better things.
With Tottenham on course to secure his signature, reports suggested that Messi was pushing the Spanish club to spring into action and sign him before he headed to north London. In the end, it was Spurs who won the race for the talented 24-year-old, and now Romero is showing everyone why exactly Fabio Paratici was so intent on luring him to Tottenham.
Signed on a season-long loan deal from Atalanta with an option - not obligation - to buy for £42.5million, the Lilywhites will complete the permanent signing this summer. His move is expected to be a mere formality, hence why a five-year contract was announced when he joined the club at the start of last August.
