Huge Liverpool transfer twist after 'deal agreed in principle' as Virgil van Dijk and Arne Slot speak outplaceholder image
Huge Liverpool transfer twist after 'deal agreed in principle' as Virgil van Dijk and Arne Slot speak out | Getty Images
Liverpool were set to sanction an exit for one of their most experienced stars but that move is now looking unlikely
Liverpool are now unlikely to sell left-back Andy Robertson to Tottenham Hotspur this month - after a deal was agreed in principle between the Premier League rivals for a £5m transfer.
The Scotland captain is keen for regular minutes in the final months of the season as he prepares to lead his country at the World Cup in Canada, USA and Mexico this summer.
It emerged late last week that Spurs had made a move for Robertson, who is out of contract with the Reds in June. A new deal is not close as things stand, with Liverpool’s Premier League rivals eyeing a cut-price deal for one of the Reds’ modern legends.
The left-back joined the club from Hull City for just £8m in the summer of 2017 and has made 364 appearances to date. He has won nine trophies during his time at Anfield, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League. The European triumph came against Spurs in 2019.
BBC Sport report that a deal was agreed in principle between the clubs for £5m and that Robertson would be free to move on after the Champions League clash with Qarabag FK on Wednesday night.
But now an exit is unlikely for Robertson.
The deal hinged on the Reds being able to recall Kostas Tsimikas from his season-long loan at AS Roma. They have yet been able to reach an agreement with the Italian club, who would also need to source a new left-back if the Greek international returned early to Merseyside.
"He's my vice-captain," said Van Dijk after Liverpool lost to Bournemouth on Saturday night.
"Robbo is a very important member of our team and I want him to stay but whatever happens, let's see."
Liverpool manager Arne Slot was also asked about a potential exit.
"What do you think my answer is going to be? Have I ever said anything about transfers in front of these microphones," responded Slot.
"My answer is always the same and it's quite boring to always give the same answer - we don't talk about transfers in public."
Liverpool have potentially lost Joe Gomez to injury and Slot has admitted he wants to keep all of his players.
Slot added: “I think I need all my players. Robbo had to come in at half-time, in my opinion. I always knew that for Milos (Kerkez), another 90 minutes against a very intense Bournemouth side was not a possibility for him, so I knew I would have to bring (Robertson) in.
“I had already had one substitution in the first-half, then you only have two moments left, so I thought ‘let’s bring Robbo in at half-time to make sure Milos stays available for the rest of the season’.
“There’s a lot of games to be played with the players available. I have to manage that as well. The last thing we could need right now is another injury.”
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