Antonio Conte has confirmed that Tottenham Hotspur will make Cristian Romero's loan deal permanent in the summer.
The 23-year-old is currently on loan with the Lilywhites from Serie A outfit Atalanta and there is an obligation to buy the centre-back for around £42.5m.
Speaking to the press ahead of Wednesday's Premier League clash with Southampton, Conte stated that he already considers the Argentina international as a permanent member of his first-team squad.
"He's on loan but we have an obligation to buy. We bought him!," the Italian told reporters.
"He is perfect for this league. But if you can play in this league you can play in all the leagues in the world. The problem is when you stay in another league, you have to ask if you can play in the Premier League. But when you play here, you can play in any league in the world.
"Because the intensity, the quality, the physicality that you have here is not present in other leagues. For sure Romero is able to play in this league. This league is a perfect suit for him."
After three months on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, Romero made a welcome return to the starting lineup in Tottenham's 3-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup fourth round last weekend.
Romero will be in contention to make his first Premier League start since November when Spurs take on Southampton in North London on Wednesday night.
Oliver Thomas
