Spurs burst into race to sign £20m defender

Even the most sanguine of Tottenham Hotspur’s fanbase would have approached the trip to Burnley last weekend with a measure of anxiety.

The win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League provided Thomas Frank with a break from the heavy criticism that has befallen him and his squad, but normality resumed when Totteham fell to a draw in the Premier League.

Cristian Romero saved a point with a late goal at Turf Moor. Perhaps he saved Frank’s job too. It was an improved display, but Martin Dubravka was inspired between the sticks.

Two more goals conceded, though. Spurs need a defender before the January transfer window shuts in less than a week.

Spurs plan on signing a defender after Robertson blow

Talks with Liverpool were swift. It was quickly ascertained that a deal for Andy Robertson would be doable this month. However, Liverpool are struggling to recall Kostas Tsimikas from his loan spell with AS Roma, so the Scotland left-back is, as it stands, unlikely to move to north London this month.

But with Ben Davies out injured and Destiny Udogie fitness levels not to be trusted, back-up could still be required, and ENIC Group have indeed set their sights on a potential signing.

As per TEAMtalk, Tottenham have joined Everton in the race for Wolves left-back Hugo Bueno, training their sights on the Spaniard after being knocked back in their bid to sign Robertson.

Valued at £20m, Bueno is one of the Old Gold’s most valuable assets. Wolves do not want to sell despite the near certainty of their relegation from the Premier League this season, but interest is building and Bueno is keen to remain in the Premier League.

Technical director Johan Lange could try and orchestrate a deal before the end of the January window, but it’s felt that a bid may be maintained this summer.

Why Bueno would be a better signing than Robertson

Bueno is only 23 but has played with the maturity and composure of an older and more experienced head in the Premier League. Wolves are doomed, but Bueno has maintained an interesting level of consistency on the left side of the backline.

As per FotMob, Bueno has created, on average, 1.41 chances, 2.15 crosses and completed 1.21 dribbles per game, putting him in 15% of all three percentiles. His rise has been immense since joining the youth academy in 2022, after which former technical director Matt Hobbs praised his “incredible” development.

All that in a sinking Molineux ship. It’s clear that the Iberian defender is talented and that he has the kind of skillset that Spurs need. Moreover, it’s a playing style that is reminiscent of Robertson in his Liverpool heyday, and so might be the route to go down for Frank and co, especially when you consider that Liverpool signed Robertson as an up-and-comer from Hull City, who had just been relegated from the top flight.

Robertson is one of the highest-assisting defenders in Premier League history, but he’s only set up two goals since the start of last season.

His creative influence is waning, whereas Bueno’s form suggests he could help raise the playmaking bar down N17 – and that’s a bar that needs raising.

One of the most noticeable elements of Robertson’s decline at Liverpool has been his athletic deterioration; no longer does the Scottish skipper zip up and down the left flank, and Sofascore reveal him to average 0.2 dribbles per Premier League game this season.

Robertson’s leadership and experience would be valuable assets at Tottenham. Those attributes are perhaps the driving forces behind a bid for his signature.

But Robertson is not the defender he once was at Anfield, and in Bueno, Frank would land a talented left-back who has what it takes to develop into one of the most solid players in English football, someone who can serve for years to come, rather than marshal troops for a short spell.