Thomas Frank Declines to Discuss Tottenham's Interest in Liverpool's Andy Robertson
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank has firmly declined to engage with questions regarding the club's reported transfer negotiations for Liverpool defender Andy Robertson. The speculation comes as the January transfer window approaches its critical final stages, with multiple sources indicating active discussions between the Premier League rivals.
Frank's Evasive Response to Direct Questioning
Following Tottenham's 2-2 draw against Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon, Frank was directly questioned about whether the experienced Scottish left-back could have bolstered Spurs' defensive performance in a match where they nearly conceded defeat to the league's 19th-placed side. In a characteristically guarded reply, the Danish manager stated: "Just on that one, in general you don’t know me that well, I don’t speak about players that are not in the club, except Ronaldo and Messi. So, that’s no comment."
This refusal to comment follows a report from The Mirror on Friday which revealed that Tottenham had initiated contact with Liverpool regarding a potential move for Robertson this month. While initial plans reportedly centred on a summer transfer when Robertson's contract expires, Spurs appear to have accelerated their interest in the veteran defender.
Robertson's Contract Situation and Personal Considerations
The 31-year-old Scotland international has recently confirmed that contract renewal discussions have commenced with Liverpool, though he remains publicly undecided about his future. Robertson revealed: "We’ll see what happens. We’ve had chats now which will remain private. I've spoken to them and we’ll see what happens. Would I like to stay? Yes, but it’s a difficult question to ask. I’ve got five months left and we need to see the option to stay or if there’s options to go and things like that."
He further emphasised that any decision would involve careful family consideration, stating: "I’ll sit down with my family and decide. After a stressful summer, I’m just trying to enjoy being a part of it, and being a Liverpool player. I wanted to qualify for the World Cup and thankfully we’ve managed to do that. I need to see what myself and my family wants moving forward."
Competition for Places at Both Clubs
Robertson's potential move to Tottenham comes amidst increased competition for the left-back position at both clubs. At Liverpool, manager Arne Slot has shown preference for summer signing Milos Kerkez, who joined from Bournemouth for £40 million, with Robertson frequently starting matches on the bench this season. This pattern continued during Liverpool's match against Bournemouth on Saturday night, though Robertson did make a surprise half-time substitution appearance.
Meanwhile, Tottenham have recently bolstered their defensive options with the £13 million signing of 19-year-old Brazilian left-back Souza from Santos, whom Frank described as "one of the brightest left-back talents in the world" in the club's official announcement. Spurs already have Destiny Udogie, Djed Spence, and Ben Davies as established options for the left-back position, creating a potentially crowded defensive roster should Robertson's transfer materialise.
Strategic Timing and Defensive Considerations
The timing of Tottenham's interest appears strategically significant, coinciding with their recent defensive vulnerabilities demonstrated in the Burnley draw. Robertson's proven Premier League experience, including two championship-winning campaigns with Liverpool, represents an attractive proposition for a Spurs side seeking defensive reinforcement. His potential acquisition would bring considerable top-flight knowledge and leadership qualities to Tottenham's back line during a crucial period of the season.
As the January transfer window enters its final phase, all parties involved maintain a public position of discretion, with Frank's "no comment" stance reflecting the sensitive nature of ongoing negotiations. The coming days will determine whether Tottenham's accelerated interest in the Liverpool defender translates into a concrete transfer agreement before the window closes.
