Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly the frontrunners to secure Andy Robertson’s signature this summer, provided they maintain their Premier League status. The Scottish full-back has confirmed he will leave Anfield at the end of the season, drawing the curtain on a trophy-laden nine-year spell on Merseyside.
A host of clubs have begun circling for his signature on a free transfer, but The Athletic claim it is Spurs who hold the advantage in the race for his services. That said, their pursuit will naturally hinge on whether they can avoid the drop. Spurs had held discussions over bringing Robertson to north London, but Liverpool refused to sanction a mid-season departure.
The 32 year old will now walk away without a transfer fee when his contract expires at the conclusion of the campaign.
Spurs face a formidable challenge to preserve their top-flight status, currently sitting 17th and just a single point above the relegation zone. The club have turned to Roberto De Zerbi to navigate them out of trouble following the dismissals of Thomas Frank and interim head coach Igor Tudor, who managed just one victory during his brief spell at the helm.
Confirming his departure earlier this week, Robertson said: “It is never easy leaving a club like Liverpool. It has been a huge part of mine and my family’s life for the last nine years, but I know football moves on.
“I know teams move on and now is the time for me to move on. I will always look back on amazing memories at this football club. I have put my heart and soul into the club and when I got my chance I just wanted to make the people within this club and the supporters proud of the left back they are seeing performing week in, week out.”
“I know my journey is coming to an end. It has been an incredible journey but I won’t let up. This club means everything to me, the fans mean everything to me, the people connected with the club mean everything to me and I think I owe to them that until my very last day I will give everything to the football club which I have done for the last nine years.
“The nine years, I will look back with a big smile on my face and, yeah, it’s been a hell of a journey. I think it has been well-documented, especially over the last year or so, I’ve had opportunities to leave and I’ve not taken them because of how difficult it is to leave this club. And I wouldn’t change that for the world.
“But I know football moves on, I know teams move on and I think now is the time for me to move on and go wherever my next move is and wherever my career takes me. I’ll always look back on amazing memories at this football club, I’ve put my heart and soul into the club for nine years and I’ve not got many regrets.
“I’ve grown as a man and as a person. This club will always mean the world to me, the fans will mean the world to me. It has been a hell of a journey.”
Robertson has firmly cemented his place amongst the club’s contemporary legends, having joined from Hull City for a mere £8.5m — a figure now broadly regarded as an absolute steal.