Tottenham Hotspur are working on a deal to sign Andy Robertson from Liverpool.
The north London club initially identified Robertson as a target for this summer and planned to be among multiple suitors vying to recruit the Scotland international as a free agent when his contract expires on June 30.
But that pursuit was brought forward in an effort to strengthen head coach Thomas Frank’s squad immediately and amicable negotiations between all parties are advancing as Spurs attempt to land the 31-year-old left-back.
He would add quality, character, experience and leadership to their ranks in a season that has seen Spurs struggle across domestic competitions but fare better in the Champions League, where they sit fifth heading into the final league-phase fixtures next Wednesday.
Robertson has slipped behind summer signing Milos Kerkez at Anfield and, while his departure may leave Liverpool light in natural cover, they have the ability to recall Kostas Tsimikas from his loan spell with Roma.
Last summer, Spanish side Atletico Madrid expressed interest in signing Robertson.
Atletico had been seeking reinforcements on the left side of defence after Reinildo and Cesar Azpilicueta left, but opted instead to sign Matteo Ruggeri from Atalanta.
Asked about his future this month, Robertson said he wanted to stay but added that he is “a player who wants to play”.
“I’ve got five months left and we need to see what the option is to stay or if there’s options to go and things like that,” Robertson said. “I need to sit down with my family and decide.
“After a stressful summer, I’m just trying to enjoy being a part of it and being a Liverpool player.
“I wanted to qualify for the World Cup and thankfully, we’ve managed to do that. I need to see what myself and my family wants going forward.”
Kerkez has displaced Robertson as first-choice left-back at Liverpool (Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Robertson and Liverpool share an extremely strong relationship, meaning he would not want an exit to put them in a bad position and they would not refuse to listen to the wishes of a servant who has given them so much over the best part of a decade.
As far as possible, both sides will try to do what is right for the other and if that materialises as a departure, it would only be on good terms.
Robertson is set to captain Scotland at the upcoming World Cup, Steve Clarke’s men having reached the tournament for the first time since 1998 — and that makes game time a key consideration.
He has made 21 appearances in all competitions this campaign but started only four matches in the Premier League following the £40million ($54m) addition of Kerkez from Bournemouth.
Destiny Udogie has been Tottenham’s first-choice left-back since arriving in 2023, but he has been restricted to 10 Premier League games in 2025-26 because of injury.
Djed Spence, traditionally a right-back, has often deputised on the left side of defence while Archie Gray and Micky van de Ven have occasionally been used in the position.
Ben Davies filled in at left-back in recent weeks, but it was confirmed on Monday he will undergo surgery on an ankle fracture. Spurs confirmed the arrival of 19-year-old left-back Souza from Santos on Thursday.
Robertson joined Liverpool from Hull City in 2017 and has made 363 appearances, providing 12 goals and 68 assists — in addition to winning two Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2019.
Would this be the right time for Robertson and Liverpool to part ways?
Analysis from Liverpool correspondent Gregg Evans
Robertson will always be remembered as one of Liverpool’s most accomplished left-backs, and among the best value for money arrivals in the club’s history.
Signed without fanfare, he became one of the defining symbols of the Jurgen Klopp era. A player who found the perfect blend between defence and attack and fully understood what was needed to succeed at a club with such high expectations.
Robertson’s greatest contribution was not just his assists and all those rampaging runs down the wing when he was in his prime, but the tone he set throughout.
He was emotionally invested from the start and played hard, often rolling himself out when injured or not fully fit, but always for the good of the team.
Even as his athletic edge softened with time, his leadership qualities remained invaluable. When he spoke to reporters earlier this month, there was a sadness in his voice that he was no longer the first-choice left-back but he remained professional with the way he handled questions about his future, always focusing on the strong relationship he has with the club’s owners and the sensitivities of coming towards the end of his contract.
Robertson was a defining presence in Klopp’s Liverpool team (Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)
With Kerkez now growing into his role, Robertson’s time in the Liverpool team was always going to be limited moving forward, so it’s easy to understand why a move like this would appeal.
He is only and has plenty left in the tank. Leaving Liverpool, no doubt, would be difficult, even with the blessing of supporters who have adored him for eight and a half seasons at the club, yet with no sign of a contract extension, this feels like the right time for him to move on.
A departure would initially leave Liverpool short of cover and no doubt spark conversations with Roma about a return for Tsimikas, who could provide cover until the end of the season.
At some point this year, though, Liverpool will have to sign another left back, whether that’s in this window or in the summer.
‘Spurs squad needs experience’
Analysis from Tottenham correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke
Tottenham’s surprising move for Robertson underlines just how much the squad needs experience and leadership right now.
Robertson has been a brilliant player for Liverpool over the last nine years but he is not the same dynamic force that he was at his peak for Klopp’s side. He can still bring an awful lot to Tottenham though in terms of his experience and leadership.
Spurs have looked short on character recently, to put it mildly, with so many experienced players having left, or being injured this year. Robertson could be exactly what they need to drive standards among the squad over the second half of this season and beyond.
