Tottenham appear to be closing in on the free transfer signing of Andy Robertson from Liverpool, and it is a move that suits Roberto De Zerbi’s project perfectly.
The 32-year-old’s time at Anfield comes to an end next month, with Robertson expected to complete the switch after the deal fell through in January due to Liverpool being unable to recall Kostas Tsimikas from his loan at Roma.
Late interest from Juventus has reportedly been seen off, and De Zerbi is said to have given the green light to the move at the second attempt following Thomas Frank’s earlier approach.
Robertson captained Scotland at the World Cup this summer and, despite now being in his thirties, the transfer makes considerable sense for Tottenham’s immediate and long-term needs.
With veteran defender Ben Davies potentially moving on for regular football, there is a clear gap at left-back that Djed Spence has been filling during injury absences for both Davies and Destiny Udogie.
Spurs are widely acknowledged to need vocal leaders and winners within their dressing room, and Robertson fits that profile having won two Premier League titles, one Champions League, one Club World Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, one FA Cup, two League Cups and the Community Shield.
Robertson made 378 appearances for Liverpool and registered 83 goal involvements, contributing 69 assists and scoring 14 goals, a very decent total for a full-back across his Anfield career.
Tottenham currently have two young left-backs in 23-year-old Destiny Udogie and 19-year-old Souza, and Robertson represents one of the finest possible mentors for both players to learn from.
The situation draws a notable comparison to Ledley King’s development at Spurs, where the former captain credits Noureddine Naybet, the 34-year-old Moroccan signed from Deportivo La Coruna in 2004, as a key figure in shaping his early career.
Udogie in particular stands to benefit, having registered only two goals and five assists from 94 appearances in a Spurs shirt, compared to more than double those numbers in 23 fewer games at Udinese before his 2023 arrival.
Muscle injuries have restricted Udogie’s appearances over three years in north London, and sharing duties with Robertson will reduce the pressure on the Italy international while simultaneously challenging him to raise his level.
Robertson’s durability is another attractive quality, with the Scot having missed only a handful of games throughout his career outside of a shoulder injury at the end of 2023.
Spurs are also set to add Bournemouth’s player of the season Marcos Senesi on a free transfer, with both arrivals injecting quality and experience while leaving the larger transfer budget available for attacking reinforcements further up the pitch.
