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Like numerous players at Tottenham Hotspur, Cristian Romero has endured difficulties this season. The Argentina international and his colleagues have suffered a dreadful campaign that has seen them dragged into a relegation scrap with just over a month remaining of the season. Presently positioned 18th in the Premier League table, the north London outfit will need to secure points rapidly to preserve their top-flight status.

Nevertheless, they'll be forced to do so without their star centre-back after Romero was sidelined for the season following a knee injury sustained in their 1-0 loss to Sunderland last week. Spurs supporters' final glimpse of Romero could be his departure down the tunnel while in tears at the Stadium of Light amid speculation connecting him with a switch to Spain. Here, we explore what Romero's next career step could involve, suggestions of a release clause in his contract and examination of his public comments by a close family member.

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It was following Spurs' Europa League success last season that whispers of Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid tracking Romero's circumstances began gathering momentum. Having only featured in his native Argentina, Italy and England, the South American star confessed in the most recent international break that he would "love" to play in La Liga.

Romero told TyC Sports: "LaLiga is the one [league] left to play in. I would love to, to tell you the truth, I would love to play there because it's the league I'm missing." Combined with his confession that he is far from content at Spurs, his remarks would undoubtedly have set alarm bells ringing amongst the hierarchy at the north London club.

The defender subsequently told Ole: "I'm not really having the best time there, to be honest. But beyond everything, I have to get myself right, I have to focus on the club now. I need to switch on the Tottenham mindset, try to get out of the bad situation we're in and, like I always do, give everything in every training session, in every match, and try to move forward."

The Argentine cost Spurs £40million when he completed a permanent transfer to the club in 2022, following his season-long loan spell. With his future said to be in doubt amid Spurs' potential relegation to the Championship, the defender has been identified by some as a player likely to leave north London should they drop out of the Premier League.

Pouring further fuel on the flames, Romero's father Victor addressed his son's contractual situation, revealing that Romero's deal contains a release clause. Speaking to Cadena 3, Victor said: "He has two more years on his contract with Tottenham and a very high release clause.

"The English club won't let him leave for free; it's between $50-70m [£37.8m-£53m]. For me, they'll want to recover what they invested." But football.london reports Romero's contract does not include a release clause that would allow him to join a La Liga club.

Throughout Spurs' woeful campaign, Romero has voiced his opinions repeatedly this season, openly condemning the club's board for the decisions that have left them facing potential relegation. He recently branded them "disgraceful" for failing to strengthen the injury-ravaged squad during the January transfer window.

The 28-year-old also attacked the hierarchy's reluctance to speak during challenging periods andalleged they "only show up when things are going well, to tell a few lies". Romero's public defiance towards the club's leadership astonished his father, who acknowledged it's uncharacteristic of his son to be so overtly forthright in his remarks.

Victor added: "Cuti isn't one to make statements, that's why it surprises me. I don't know anything, but in football, anything can happen. Today, you might be thinking about being close to your family, and tomorrow, they put together a team to win the championship, and everything changes. I don't want to lie."