Tottenham refuse to be bullied into cut-price sale of £60m-plus Cristian Romero
Tottenham Hotspur are determined they will not be bullied into selling Cristian Romero for a cut-price fee by Atletico Madrid, with the club believed to value him at over £60million.
Romero is due to return to Tottenham for pre-season training in the second week of July with his future in doubt and new head coach Thomas Frank facing a difficult situation over one of the club's best players.
Atletico have made it public that they want to sign 27-year-old Romero this summer, while the central defender has continued to make his dissatisfaction with the running of the club abundantly clear.
Diego Simeone, the Atletico manager, outlined his pursuit of the player by saying: 'Do I want Cuti Romero? Of course. He's a great player.' Spanish reports have also claimed that Simeone has been in regular contact with Romero, who has expressed a desire to play in Spain at some stage of his career.
Tottenham have not responded to Simeone's comments or Atletico's public pursuit, but are determined their valuation of Romero will not be impacted by the Spanish club.
Outside sources have pointed out that attempting to put pressure on Spurs publicly has rarely, if ever, ended well with chairman Daniel Levy, who likes to do his business privately.
Additionally, there are doubts whether or not Atletico could afford to pay upwards of £60m for Romero, who is contracted to Tottenham until 2027.
Despite Tottenham's firm stance over their valuation, Frank has inherited a difficult situation over Romero, who chose the day the Dane's appointment was announced to take his latest swipe at the club's hierarchy.
Less than an hour after Frank's appointment had been confirmed, Romero posted a message on social media that paid tribute to the work of former head coach Ange Postecoglou and included the line: 'You paved the way despite the many obstacles that always existed and always will exist.'
In March, Romero pointedly thanked the Argentina physios for his return to fitness without making any mention of the Tottenham medical staff and last September reposted a social media message claiming the player was tired because Spurs had not flown him back on a private jet from international duty.
Romero had played in Argentina's 2-1 defeat in Colombia five days prior to a 1-0 North London derby defeat to Arsenal. Some clubs are known to organise private travel at their own cost to get their stars home quicker from international duty, but Tottenham generally do not do that and leave it to federations to arrange flights.
It remains to be seen whether or not Frank can win Romero over and his influence on the dressing room is also a big factor for the former Brentford head coach to consider.
Postecoglou made Romero one of Tottenham's vice-captains and his influence was underlined in the Europa League final when he marched the team into Manchester United's half of the pitch to do a pre-match huddle in front of their own fans in Bilbao. It was also Romero who helped to organise a team-bonding barbecue in the build-up to the final.
Talking about his future and ambitions in April, Romero said: 'I'd love to play in La Liga. I'd love to, honestly.
'We'll see after the championship is over. The truth is, I haven't spoken to my agent yet, but I'm open to anything. My goal is always to grow and go to new places to continue developing.'
Losing Romero and club captain Heung-Min Son - who left some team-mates and staff with the impression he could have played his final game for the club at the end of the season - in one summer would leave Frank short of leadership.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
18 minutes ago
- BBC News
Derby sign striker Morris from Luton
Derby County have signed striker Carlton Morris from Luton Town for an undisclosed former Hatters captain has agreed a three-year deal at Pride Park and and is Derby's first recruit of the summer transfer made 38 Premier League appearances two seasons ago after helping Luton win promotion by scoring in a penalty shoot-out against Coventry City in they were relegated at the end of that season and back to League One last term, when Morris scored eight goals in 43 began his career at Norwich City and had several loan spells before signing for Barnsley in January 2021 and helping them reach the Championship play-offs at the end of that campaign."Carlton has been a big player for our football club for a long time now, and in the relatively short spell that we have worked with him, he has led by example and given everything for the cause," said Luton boss Matt Bloomfield."We understand his desire to continue his career at the highest level he can, and he leaves to join Derby with our best wishes."The Rams will begin the new Championship season with a trip to Stoke City on 9 August, to be followed by a Carabao Cup trip to West Brom and their first home league game against Coventry.
Telegraph
23 minutes ago
- Telegraph
How to earn £7,500 tax-free from your home
Have you ever rented out a room in your home to a lodger? We'd like to hear from you. Email money@ If you have a spare bedroom in your home, the Government's rent-a-room scheme could be an extremely tax-efficient way to boost your income. The scheme allows you to earn up to £7,500 tax-free per year, completely legally, and regardless of your personal income tax bracket, simply by taking a lodger into your home. It's a welcome boon to those seeking a supplementary source of income and who have a spare bedroom gathering cobwebs. Designed to encourage homeowners to make better use of underutilised space, the scheme has the ability to turn your spare bedroom into a profitable financial asset, provided it is furnished and within your main residence. But while this may sound straightforward, making use of the scheme and letting someone into your home can be anything but. For instance, who is eligible for the scheme, do you need to inform HMRC and what happens if you exceed the £7,500 limit? In this comprehensive guide, we break down everything you need to know about the rent-a-room scheme. We will cover the following: What is the rent-a-room scheme? How rent-a-room tax relief works Lodgers vs tenants How to find the right lodger in six simple steps Conclusion and final thoughts Rent-a-room scheme FAQs Quick takeaways You can earn up to £7,500 tax-free by renting out a furnished room in your main residence. The scheme is available to both homeowners and tenants, provided the latter have landlord approval. It can be used with short-term rentals through bed and breakfasts, or student hosting, as long as the criteria are met. There is no need to file a tax return unless you exceed the income threshold or choose to opt out of the scheme due to wanting to claim expenses. Renting a room may affect council tax discounts, benefits and mortgages, so check first. Take time to identify and vet potential lodgers to ensure a smooth process and an amicable long-term living arrangement. What is the rent-a-room scheme? The rent-a-room scheme is a longstanding government initiative that permits homeowners or, in some cases, tenants, to earn tax-free income by having a lodger rent a room in their property. The income is capped at £7,500 per year, so if you share rental income with another person, then the threshold is split in half to £3,750 each. The first iteration of the scheme was introduced in 1992 as rent-a-room relief, aiming to 'incentivise individuals to make spare capacity in their homes available for rent'. It was an attempt to increase the supply of affordable housing and encourage the efficient use of residential space, especially in high-demand areas like London and other major cities. Matt Hutchinson, director at the flat-share site SpareRoom, notes a significant rise in lodgers since the pandemic: 'Landlords still make up the largest share of ads on SpareRoom (26.4pc), but homeowners are close behind at 22.3pc. 'Lodger numbers dropped during the pandemic, as people were more wary about having people in their homes, but we've since seen a sharp increase in homeowners advertising rooms – up 38.4pc between January 2022 and 2025.' Example A homeowner rents out a spare bedroom for £500 per month, which comes to £6,000 per year, well below the tax-free threshold. Therefore, they pay no tax on this income and don't need to inform HMRC. Who can use the rent-a-room scheme? The rent-a-room scheme can be used for more situations than you may think. To qualify, you can be either a resident landlord or a tenant in rented accommodation. Here are some aspects that must apply: Main residence: The property must be your primary home, where you live. You cannot claim the relief if you're renting out rooms in a property that isn't your main residence. Resident landlords: If you own and live at the property, you are considered a resident landlord and can therefore rent out a room and benefit from the scheme. Tenants: If you rent the property you live in, you can be eligible for the rent-a-room scheme, provided you have express written permission from your landlord. Furnished accommodation: This is an essential piece of criteria; the room you rent out must be furnished. Unfurnished rooms do not qualify for the scheme. Short-term lets: You can use the scheme for short-term rentals as long as the property remains your main residence. This means you can benefit from the scheme even if you run a bed and breakfast or advertise a room on Airbnb. While the scheme can be used for short-term lets, homeowners should be mindful of local regulations. Chris Norris, of the National Residential Landlord Association (NRLA), said: 'Provided the homeowner has the right to sublet, there should be relatively few legal risks. There are some areas where the amount of time that a property can be subject to a short let is limited, though – this is the case in London [where there is a limit of 90 nights]. In those cases, a landlord would need to be cautious about breaching planning rules.' Ineligible scenarios Certain situations disqualify you from using the scheme: Second homes: The room must be located at your main residence, not a second home. Also, if you live abroad and rent out your UK home, you cannot claim the relief. Separate properties: If the room is in a separate building from your main home, such as an annexe with its own entrance, it doesn't qualify. Homes converted into separate flats are also ineligible. Business use: Rooms used primarily for business purposes, like offices, are excluded. How rent-a-room tax relief works The way the rent-a-room scheme tax relief works is remarkably simple, especially if you are earning below the £7,500 threshold through rent paid by any lodgers. However, making sure you follow these rules correctly is still essential to ensure everything remains above board. Automatic tax exemption The reason the application of tax relief through the rent-a-room scheme is so simple is that it's automatic. In other words, if you earn below the £7,500 threshold through this form of income, you do not have to alert HMRC or even submit a tax return (providing you do not already have to submit one due to other income sources). However, it is still strongly recommended to keep records of your rental income in case HMRC requests it. Earning above the threshold If you generate enough rental income to exceed the £7,500 threshold (£625 per month), then this additional income will need to be declared in your self-assessment tax return. In this case, you'll need to indicate that you're opting into the scheme, which will be an option on the tax return. The amount you earn over the £7,500 threshold will be taxed depending on your personal income tax rate, i.e. how much you earn through all income sources. For instance, if you are a basic-rate taxpayer, you will pay 20pc on any income generated above the threshold, provided you have opted into the scheme. Expenses One thing to consider before claiming rent-a-room relief is expenses. You can't deduct allowable expenses and benefit from the rent-a-room scheme at the same time, so you'll need to weigh up which option will be most tax-efficient for you. The two options for tax relief are: Claim rent-a-room relief: Pay tax on the gross income that exceeds the £7,500 threshold, without deducting any expenses. Actual profit basis: Pay tax on your actual profit, which equates to total rental income minus any allowable expenses such as maintenance, utilities, insurance, etc. Example 1 You earn £10,000 in rental income and have £2,000 in expenses: Claim rent-a-room relief: Taxable income = £10,000 – £7,500 = £2,500 Actual profit basis: Taxable income = £10,000 – £2,000 = £8,000 In this example, claiming rent-a-room relief is far more profitable. Example 2 You earn £10,000 in rental income but have had to pay £3,000 on a new boiler and another £5,000 on structural repairs. Claim rent-a-room relief: Taxable income = £10,000 – £7,500 = £2,500 Actual profit basis: Taxable income = £10,000 – £8,000 = £2,000 In this example, claiming expenses reduced your taxable income by £500. Remember, you can always choose the more tax-efficient method at the end of the tax year, depending on any expenses you've incurred throughout the year. Lodgers vs tenants: legal differences and implications There are some distinct legal differences between tenants and lodgers. Tenants have more rights, whereas for lodgers, the arrangement is typically more flexible. Mr Norris clarifies the fundamental distinction: 'I think the most common misunderstanding is that a lodger in someone's home is not a tenant. They have a licence to occupy part of the property, which does not imbue the same rights or security as a tenancy. Landlords still have a responsibility to provide a safe home, but the arrangement is different.' With a lodger, landlords can: Retain access to the room, whereas they need permission to access the property when a tenant is renting it Receive a deposit without entering it into a deposit protection scheme, which is required for tenants Be on the hook for council tax, whereas tenants are typically responsible for paying this. Evicting a lodger One of the main benefits of having lodgers rather than tenants is in relation to eviction. Evicting a tenant can be an arduous process, which is to get even more difficult when the Renters Rights Bill is introduced. For lodgers on the other hand, landlords can terminate the agreement by providing 'reasonable notice', usually in line with the rental payment period. The amount of time you need to provide is dependent on whether they are an 'excluded occupier' or have basic protection. However, resident landlords should still be aware of the potential challenges. Mr Norris cautions: 'Resident landlords have to be very aware of their own safety and security, and just because you have the legal right to ask someone to leave doesn't mean that there are not risks involved or that the lodger will necessarily comply.' According to government guidance, the lodger is considered an excluded occupier if 'you or a member of your family share a kitchen, bathroom or living room with them'. Citizens Advice says, the notice period for an excluded occupier should be the same as the 'rent period'. If you do not share these common areas with your lodger, you will have to get an order from the court to evict your lodger. One thing to be aware of is that a lodger can automatically become a tenant if you move out of the property, in which case your legal obligations would change. Health and safety obligations As a landlord, benefiting from the rent-a-room scheme or otherwise, you are still responsible for ensuring the property is safe and habitable. This includes the following legal obligations: Gas safety: Annual checks by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Electrical safety: Regular inspections and maintenance of electrical installations. Fire safety: Installation of smoke alarms on each floor and carbon monoxide detectors where applicable. Furniture compliance: All furniture provided must meet fire resistance standards. If you are a homeowner, taking in a lodger can void your mortgage terms if you don't inform you're provider first. It can also void your home insurance policy, so be sure to check the conditions. Paula Higgins, of the Homeowners Alliance, also advised homeowners to make sure they've factored in the full financial implications of taking in a lodger beforehand. 'When you're thinking about the finances, remember to factor in all the costs,' she said. 'The rent you charge will need to cover the increase in your utility bills. Crucially, if you currently live alone, you will lose your 25pc single-person discount on council tax, so it's vital to build that into your calculations to ensure the arrangement is financially worthwhile.' How to find the right lodger in six simple steps Once you've decided to take in a lodger, finding the right one can be a daunting task. Here, we've outlined six simple steps to guide you through the process. Steps 1-3: Finding a lodger Define your ideal lodger: Before jumping into the search process, make sure you know exactly who you're looking for, and what kind of person aligns with your lifestyle. For instance, if you are an early riser who typically likes to be in bed early then this is probably something you will value in a lodger. Create a compelling advert: By determining exactly the kind of person you're looking for in step 1, you will be able to craft the perfect advertisement for your spare room. Highlight key features of your property, such as location and amenities (high-speed internet, for example), and set out the house rules and what you're looking for in a lodger to filter out inappropriate applicants. Include high-quality images to show your property in the best light. Make use of multiple advertising channels: Don't feel limited to just one online platform. These can include but are not limited to: dedicated flat-share portals like SpareRoom and Roomies, social media forums, community boards like a local gym or cafe and educational centres if you're open to housing a student. You can also use platforms like Airbnb for short-term rentals. Steps 4-6: Screening potential lodgers Conduct thorough interviews: A potential lodger may look great on paper, but you won't really know without meeting them in person. Conduct a thorough interview with candidates to get a feel for your compatibility as housemates. Perform background checks: Make sure to request references from previous landlords or employers to validate their credentials. You can also conduct credit checks to clarify their financial stability. It is a legal obligation to check if they have the right to rent in the UK. It is of vital importance to ensure that your screening process is as thorough as possible. Ms. Higgins said: 'It's not just about ticking boxes; it's about making sure their story adds up. Take the time to check employment details and follow up on references. Ask yourself, why are they looking for a room right now? Are they a young professional starting a new job, or a student here for a few months? A clear and plausible story is a good sign. Don't be afraid to trust your instincts if you spot any red flags.' Establish a clear agreement: Draft a written lodger agreement outlining the terms of the arrangement, including rent amount, payment schedule, notice period and house rules. This sets a precedent for the relationship and can prevent future misunderstandings. Miss Higgins outlined why a clear agreement can be invaluable: 'Clear communication from day one is the absolute key to a successful lodging arrangement, and that's precisely why a written lodger agreement is so valuable. It's the foundation for managing expectations. 'Be specific about the practical, day-to-day things to avoid future conflict. For example, what are the rules around using the kitchen and where should things be stored? What is the policy on overnight guests? Even small details, like a personal preference for no candles in bedrooms, should be included. Getting this all in writing prevents misunderstandings and ensures everyone feels respected.' Conclusion: Making the most of the rent-a-room scheme The rent-a-room scheme represents a tax-efficient way to boost your income. This can be especially beneficial when entering into retirement should you want to supplement your pension income. But the appeal of the scheme extends across different age groups. Mr Hutchinson said: 'While renters in their late-20s and early-30s still dominate the flatshare market, over-65s using SpareRoom have increased elevenfold in the past decade, and over-55s have tripled, showing how the cost of living is affecting all age groups.' Miss Higgins, who has used the scheme herself, believes the benefits can be personal as well as financial. 'I've rented out a room a few times, and it was a huge help with the mortgage when we first moved into a bigger house. But it's more than just income. There's a sense of security from having somebody else in the house when you're away. Rent-a-room scheme FAQs
Telegraph
23 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Wrexham take centre stage as Championship floods Boxing Day in Premier League's absence
The English Football League will stage a full Boxing Day programme following the Premier League's decision not to schedule games on the traditional festive date. Wrexham will take centre stage on the December 26 bank holiday when they host Sheffield United in the EFL Championship. All 72 EFL fixtures across both days will be televised live for the second successive season. Birmingham and Ipswich kick off the new campaign on August 8 with a Friday night game under the St Andrew's lights. Two divisions separated the clubs last term as Birmingham won the League One title and Ipswich were relegated after just one season in the Premier League. The season-opener pits ex-NFL quarterback Tom Brady against singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, the two men being respective minority owners of Birmingham and Ipswich. Birmingham's start before the September international break also includes trips to Blackburn and Leicester and a visit from Oxford, while their so-called 'Hollywood derbies' with Wrexham are away on October 4 and at home on April 11. Wrexham, under the ownership of Hollywood A-lister Ryan Reynolds and fellow actor Rob McElhenney, begin at Southampton, which will be Will Still's first match as manager at St Mary's, on Saturday, August 9 with a 12.30pm kick-off. Back in the second tier of English football for the first time in 43 years after winning three successive promotions, Wrexham follow their opener at St Mary's with home games against West Brom and Sheffield Wednesday and a trip to Millwall. Sheffield United and Bristol City start at Bramall Lane on August 9 in a repeat of last season's Championship play-off semi-final, West Brom host Blackburn and promoted Charlton welcome Watford to The Valley. Frank Lampard's Coventry start at home to Hull, Stoke entertain Derby, Oxford play Portsmouth and Liam Manning's first game in charge of Norwich will be at home to Millwall. New Middlesbrough manager Rob Edwards also opens at home against Swansea and Julien Stephan's first game at QPR is a visit from Preston. Relegated Leicester and Sheffield Wednesday are the last two teams in action on the opening weekend, with a 4.30pm kick-off on Sunday, August 10. Leicester's first away game is at Preston and the second weekend of action sees Ipswich and Southampton, both back in the second tier after relegation, meet at Portman Road. The Sheffield derbies take place on November 22 at Hillsborough and at Bramall Lane on February 21. The Championship season will consist of 33 weekend rounds, nine midweek rounds and four bank holiday rounds, finishing on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Boxing Day highlights include Birmingham at home to Derby, Leicester entertaining Watford and Norwich hosting Charlton. Leicester travel to Sheffield United on New Year's Day, with Southampton at home to Millwall and Swansea greeting West Brom. League One and League Two starts a week earlier than the Championship, with relegated Luton and promoted AFC Wimbledon getting things under way at Kenilworth Road on Friday, August 1 at 8pm. Cardiff and Plymouth start out with home games the next day after dropping into League One, against Peterborough and Barnsley respectively. Promoted pair Bradford and Doncaster are at home to Wycombe and Exeter, while Port Vale mark their return to the division away to Rotherham. Barnet and Oldham are back in the EFL after winning promotion from the Vanarama National League. The Bees open their League Two campaign at home to Fleetwood on Saturday, August 2, while Oldham make the trip to MK Dons. Salford, now owned by a new consortium which includes Sir David Beckham and Gary Neville, have a home opener against Crewe.
