ANALYTICAL: IS ANTONEE ROBINSON THE £25M ANSWER TO EVERTON'S LEFT-BACK?
David Moyes is reportedly keen to sign Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson, a former Everton player, in January. A £25m bid is expected to strengthen the squad.
Reports say that Saturday’s 4-1 loss at home to Newcastle United shook David Moyes up a bit. Everton is currently 14th in the Premier League, only four points away from a European spot. Moyes thinks he needs to bring in some new players in January to reach his aims and plans to ask the Friedkin Group for money.
Transfer reporter Alan Nixon says Moyes is interested in Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson, who started his career at Everton. The 28-year-old got good feedback when he was with the team, but moved to Wigan Athletic in 2019 because Leighton Baines and Lucas Digne were ahead of him.
Everton is aiming for Antonee Robinson of Fulham.
He played well at Wigan, and Fulham bought him for £2 million in 2020. Since then, the United States international has played 193 games and earned a solid reputation, having been linked to Liverpool and Manchester City in the past.
He’s only played three Premier League games this season because of a knee injury, but Everton is still thinking about making a move in January. Nixon believes that a £25 million bid might get Fulham to agree, but Robinson’s contract runs until 2028, which could increase the price.
Will he fit well into David Moyes’ plans?
Right now, Vitaliy Mykolenko is the left-back mainly because there's not much competition. Adam Aznou, a 19-year-old signed from Bayern Munich, hasn't played in the Premier League yet and seems to be a player for the future.
If Robinson gets back to full health, he'll be competing with Mykolenko and could be a regular starter before the United States plays in the World Cup next year. Robinson would likely be a great addition to Everton. He’s a quick, hardworking fullback who helps out both on and off the ball, and his past with the team makes him an even more interesting option.
HOW JAMES MADDISON’S INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SIGNALS A SHOCK SEASON RETURN
James Maddison returns to individual training as Igor Tudor prepares Tottenham for a vital relegation battle with Forest.
Ahead of Tottenham’s match against Nottingham Forest, manager Igor Tudor gave an update on when James Maddison might return from injury. It’s a crucial moment for Spurs as they prepare to host Forest in what could be the defining 90 minutes of Tudor’s time at the club and quite possibly a key fixture that will shape the season for both teams.
Currently separated by just one point, Tottenham and Forest are locked in a battle against relegation. A win would push Spurs four points clear of the drop zone, while a loss might drag them into the bottom three. The stakes couldn’t be clearer.
Tudor’s side heads into this game with renewed energy, surprisingly positive given the mood just two weeks ago. The draw at Anfield broke a six-game losing streak, and their recent 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid, though not enough to overturn the aggregate score, brought back a sense of belief. Young players like Xavi Simons and Archie Gray impressed, while Mathys Tel kept the opposition on their toes. The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was electric in a way fans haven’t felt for months. While the Champions League hopes are dashed, that performance has injected valuable momentum into Spurs’ survival fight.
There’s also some hopeful news on the injury front. Dominic Solanke, who missed the Atlético leg with a hip issue, might be available. His physical presence adds a different dimension to Tottenham’s attack, which Tudor will surely be glad to have.
But the most promising update came from Tudor’s comments about Maddison. The creative midfielder, sidelined since August after rupturing his ACL in a preseason friendly, has begun some individual training, spotted alongside Palhinha. Recoveries from ACL injuries are never straightforward, and the team won’t rush him back. With only seven league games left after Sunday, there’s a narrow window for his return. Still, even the possibility of Maddison getting back on the pitch—someone who can change a game with a moment of skill or a precise pass—offers a much-needed morale boost.
For now, though, the focus remains firmly on Forest.
WHY BORUSSIA DORTMUND EXPECT JADON SANCHO TO SIGN FOR FREE
Unai Emery praises Jadon Sancho despite poor stats, while Dortmund free up £21m in wages to lure him back to Germany.
Borussia Dortmund really want Jadon Sancho back, and they’re hoping to get him for free from Manchester United. Sancho’s contract runs out this summer, and honestly, no one expects United to offer him a new one.
Right now, Sancho’s on loan at Aston Villa. It’s his third spell away from Old Trafford since United signed him for £73 million in 2021. His move to Villa was just a loan with no option to buy.
Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, has hinted he might keep Sancho, but Dortmund aren’t sitting around. The Times says Dortmund didn’t chase wingers last summer because Nico Kovac liked the 3-4-2-1 formation, but now the boss has changed his mind and wants Sancho back.
If Sancho comes back, he'll need to take a hefty pay cut from his £300,000-a-week salary. Still, Dortmund’s where he made his name after moving from Manchester City in 2017.
Dortmund have room in the budget this summer; they let the contracts of Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle, and Salih Özcan run out. That saves them about £21 million a year, and they’re optimistic they can lure Sancho, who’s allowed to strike pre-contract deals with foreign clubs.
Sancho actually spent half of the 2024 season back at Dortmund after Erik ten Hag froze him out at United. He helped them reach the Champions League final, but nothing permanent came of it.
Something similar happened during his loan to Chelsea last season. The club even paid a £5 million penalty just to avoid having to sign him outright. Villa picked him up right at the transfer deadline in September, but, once again, he’s struggled.
So far, Sancho’s got one goal and one assist in 29 games across all competitions. Still, Emery thinks there’s more to come.
When asked in February about signing Sancho for good, Emery said, “Not yet, but he’s a fantastic player. Hopefully, he can help us by improving within our system, like he is doing.
“He’ll need a new contract; maybe it’s here. If he plays his best football, we’ll want him. But other teams will be interested, too.”
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