Tottenham Hotspur are in pole position to sign Andy Robertson as a free agent this summer season, subject to retaining their Premier League standing.
Liverpool introduced on Thursday night that Robertson, 32, would be leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of the season after 9 glittering years at Anfield.
The Athletic reported in January that Spurs had held talks over recruiting the Scotland international however Liverpool had been ultimately unwilling to sanction a mid-season departure.
Robertson’s professionalism and dedication to Liverpool had been by no means in query, so a change would solely have materialised if it suited all events.
His deal with Liverpool means nothing is finalised and there stays robust curiosity from elsewhere in Europe, however the groundwork undertaken by Tottenham in the winter market and the enchantment of the chance to Robertson leaves the north London facet poised to full a deal in the event that they keep away from relegation.
Spurs are at present seventeenth in the Premier League desk and one level above the relegation zone with seven video games of the marketing campaign remaining.
Robertson has been Liverpool’s first-choice left-back for almost all of his time since becoming a member of from Hull City in 2017, however has fallen down the pecking order following the summer season arrival of Milos Kerkez, 22, from Bournemouth.
He has made 31 appearances in all competitions this season, however began solely six matches in the Premier League.
The Scot is predicted to captain his nation at this summer season’s World Cup, the place they are going to face Brazil, Haiti and Morocco in Group C.
Robertson would assist deal with cultural points at Spurs
Analysis by Tottenham Hotspur correspondent Elias Burke
Tottenham are brief on management, left-back depth and winners on the elite degree — Robertson helps to remedy all three areas. The Athletic reported Tottenham’s robust curiosity in the Scotland captain in January, and so they might have finished together with his qualities in the second half of the season, with accidents to Ben Davies and Destiny Udogie leaving Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor wanting depth on the left facet of defence.
Robertson has received each main trophy at Anfield, and would subsequently convey a profitable know-how to a squad who has underperformed considerably in the Premier League for consecutive seasons. While, at 32, he is probably not the participant he was in his prime, his expertise in serving to to drive a profitable tradition in the Liverpool dressing room underneath Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot might show invaluable as Spurs goal to restore their position as a membership competing for European locations.
He might additionally assist with the event of 23-year-old Udogie, who has been in and out of the Tottenham facet this season with harm, and 19-year-old Souza, who was signed from Santos in Brazil in January and has made 4 league appearances.
Experienced gamers had been vital for brand new head coach Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton & Hove Albion, and Robertson might assume an analogous function. And, given he’s seemingly eager to play extra soccer after having a diminished function at Liverpool this time period, Spurs, offering they beat the drop, ought to supply Robertson the prospect to share minutes with Udogie and Souza in the approaching years.
What is Robertson’s Liverpool legacy?
Analysis from Liverpool correspondent Gregg Evans
Although this comes as no actual shock, it’s nonetheless a tragic second for supporters as they put together to wave goodbye to a membership legend.
Robertson’s journey at Liverpool is the embodiment of grit, management, and star high quality. He was signed with little fanfare however shortly silenced any doubters together with his willpower and consistency.
His tireless working down the flank, pinpoint deliveries, and defensive tenacity made him indispensable throughout probably the most profitable intervals in Liverpool’s historical past, however past achievements and trophies, it’s his character that cements his legacy.
Vocal, passionate, and fiercely dedicated, he has helped set the requirements for years, and even in newer weeks, he’s continued to stay the last word skilled together with his angle in the direction of enjoying and the longer term.
