According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Tottenham Hotspur wants to bring Andy Robertson on board. Not this summer when he becomes a free agent, but now.
🚨 EXCL: Tottenham Hotspur working on deal to sign Andy Robertson from Liverpool. #THFC brought forward plan to vie for 31yo #LFC left-back as free agent this summer; not done but talks between all parties advancing in bid to reach agreement @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/v1Wocekavz
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) January 23, 2026
How we got here
To make way for the up-and-coming Milos Kerkez, Robertson has spent much more time on the bench this season than any of his others at Liverpool. He's clearly desperate to be on the pitch more often, especially given Scotland's qualification for this year's FIFA World Cup.
It's understood that Tottenham stepped up their pursuit of Robertson following defender Ben Davies' severe ankle fracture, which is likely to end his season.
Though Spurs are struggling domestically under Thomas Frank, sitting just 14th in the Premier League table, they're one of five English clubs in the top eight of the UEFA Champions League table. With only Eintracht Frankfurt left to play in the league phase, automatic qualification to the round of 16 is more likely than not.
Continued top-level European football makes Tottenham a more attractive proposition, and makes their need for reinforcements more dire.
Robertson flirted with a move to Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid last summer, but ultimately decided to stay, compete with Kerkez for a starting spot, and provide much-needed leadership as new signings flooded into Merseyside.
It was Greek left back Kostas Tsimikas who departed in the end, joining AS Roma on loan. Fabrizio Romano reports Tsimikas would be allowed to return if the Robertson-to-Spurs deal materializes.
🚨🇬🇷 Understand AS Roma have already given green light to Kostas Tsimikas return to Liverpool if Robertson joins Spurs.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 23, 2026
It’s almost over between Tsimikas and Roma with #LFC ready to welcome the left back again.
No recall clause but club to club contact, as @JacobsBen reports. pic.twitter.com/7D7XDawxIW
Robbo's legacy
The news will come as a shock to Liverpool supporters, who flat-out adore the Scot and likely suspected he'd stay through the season.
The vice captain — considered by many Liverpool's greatest ever left back — has spent nearly nine years at the club since his move from Hull City in the summer of 2017. Following a December injury to starting LB Alberto Moreno, Robertson grabbed the shirt and never looked back.
He's made 363 appearances for the Reds and won nearly everything there is to win at the club level, including a UEFA Super Cup, a FIFA Club World Cup, two EFL Cups, an FA Cup, and two Premier Leagues.
He was also undroppable during each of Liverpool's three runs to the Champions League final under Jurgen Klopp, including the one they won — over Tottenham Hotspur.
Personally, I'd much rather see Robbo leave on a free this summer than lose him to a league competitor and bring back Tsimikas. Kostas is a great character but, respectfully, I've never thought he was at the level required for Liverpool.
While we're at it, Tottenham isn't the only team in dire need of defensive reinforcements. Surrendering Robertson right now, I'd argue, is negligent. He's not in the prime of his career anymore, but he has invaluable quality and experience.
If he does go, though, it's not the Scot I'll be annoyed with. I have nothing but admiration and respect for the guy, who's whipped in a billion assists for us, never shied away from a tackle, and maintained the standard of excellence that he likes of Jordan Henderson and James Milner established years ago.
He's still good enough to play significant minutes for a top team, and he needs to so that he's as sharp as possible when it's time to captain his country this summer. I hope he plays those minutes in red, but even if he doesn't, I'll always be a massive fan.