SHOCK BID: TOTTENHAM MOVE FAST TO SIGN LIVERPOOL’S ANDY ROBERTSON THIS JANUARY
Tottenham launch a surprise bid for Andy Robertson as Thomas Frank faces a left-back crisis. Discover the details of the Liverpool deal.
Tottenham have made a surprise play to sign Andy Robertson right now, dropping their original plan to wait until his contract runs out this summer. Head coach Thomas Frank is facing a real defensive crisis in north London and has pushed the club to move fast for the Liverpool veteran, with talks going smoothly as the Scotland captain looks for regular minutes before the 2026 World Cup.
Spurs didn’t want to enter the market just yet. They’d marked Robertson, 31, as their top target for the summer, planning to battle it out with other clubs once he became a free agent on June 30. But things changed fast. Frank’s defence has been hit hard by injuries, and now Tottenham needs help on the left side—urgently. Negotiations are moving along, and you can feel the pressure from the Spurs side. The club’s higher-ups think Robertson would add much-needed quality and leadership to a squad that’s struggled in the league, even though they’re doing better in Europe and currently sit fifth in the Champions League.
The situation at Tottenham hit rock bottom on Monday when Ben Davies was ruled out for surgery on a fractured ankle. Destiny Udogie, the usual first-choice left-back, has managed just 10 Premier League games this season with his own injuries. Frank’s been forced to get creative: Djed Spence, naturally a right-back, has filled in on the left, and even Archie Gray and centre-back Micky van de Ven have played out of position. Spurs did sign 19-year-old Souza from Santos this week, but they know they need someone proven in the Premier League—now.
For Robertson, a move to London is more than just a fresh start. He’s set to captain Scotland at the World Cup—their first time back since 1998—and he needs regular game time, no questions asked. Since Milos Kerkez joined Liverpool from Bournemouth last summer, Robertson has slipped down the pecking order. He’s made 21 appearances in all competitions, but just four Premier League starts this season. Earlier this month, he admitted things are up in the air: “I’ve got five months left, and we need to see what the option is to stay or if there are options to go and things like that. I’m a player who wants to play. I wanted to qualify for the World Cup, and thankfully, we’ve managed to do that. I need to see what my family and I want going forward.”
The talks between Spurs and Liverpool are helped by the respect Robertson has built over his years at Anfield. He joined Hull City in 2017 and has become a modern legend, racking up 363 appearances and winning everything from the Champions League to two Premier League titles. Liverpool isn’t looking to block a move for a loyal player who wants to play regular football as his contract winds down. Both clubs want to make sure the transfer goes smoothly. Sure, losing Robertson mid-season would leave Liverpool short on natural left-backs, but they have a backup plan: they can recall Kostas Tsimikas from his loan at Roma to cover for Kerkez for the rest of the season.
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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