Pleat expects renewed Robinson deal

David Pleat (pictured) today insisted he is confident Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson will be a Tottenham player next season.

Tottenham’s attempts to sign Robinson and then loan him back so he could help in Leeds’ relegation battle were scuppered by the Premier League yesterday.

They refused to sanction the £2m (€2.9m) move because the two clubs had effectively created a sale and leaseback arrangement – something which is forbidden under the League’s rules.

Guidelines for transfers between two Premiership clubs state a player cannot register for his former club for at least a year after he has signed for a new one – even on loan.

The only exception is when there is prior written consent from the Premier League board, which had not been obtained in this case.

Spurs softened the blow for their fans yesterday by instead signing striker Jermain Defoe from West Ham, but director of football Pleat is confident the club will still get Robinson in the summer.

Pleat said: “Yesterday we were unable to conclude the deal for Paul Robinson because of Premier League restrictions, albeit he would have gone back to Leeds United.

“Paul was given permission to speak to us, he had a medical and we went as far as we could go.

“But the Premier League felt that because of various complications with Leeds United they couldn’t sanction the move the way we wanted to do it – which was to allow Paul to go back and help Leeds in their current situation.

“There was talk of Paul joining us now but it was a hard one because we didn’t want to jeopardise Leeds’ chances of survival, we have a sympathetic feeling for them in their situation.

“They have put themselves in the situation but the general camaraderie in football means you wouldn’t want to see them shorn of players at this moment in time.

“We have been more than happy with Kasey Keller’s performances but we want competition here next season. We have a good young goalkeeper who we want to loan out called Rob Burch and I would expect Paul Robinson to join us in the summer.

“We are left in a position whereby we are confident that everything which happened yesterday and the day before will proceed.”

Another complication in the Robinson deal is believed to be the fact that Leeds asked to take striker Bobby Zamora as part of the package.

However, West Ham would not do business on Defoe unless they got Zamora, and Spurs preferred to push ahead with that transfer instead.

Acting manager Pleat unveiled Defoe this morning and hailed the 21-year-old as being in the same mould as former great Spurs strikers such as Jimmy Greaves.

“Tottenham has a history of some very top goalscorers from Jimmy Greaves, to Clive Allen, to Gary Lineker, what I consider real poachers,” said Pleat, who now has Frederic Kanoute, Robbie Keane and Helder Postiga as well as Defoe at his disposal.

“We have a mix of strikers and all have different qualities.

“Jermain’s goal record for a 21-year-old is quite exceptional and we hope he is going to have a fine career at Tottenham.

“I can’t think of a British striker of his age whose done so much in such a short period of time at such a high level. This is really building our asset base of good players – we now feel we have four good strikers.”

Defoe promised to give the fans total commitment and said: “Every time I put on a Tottenham shirt I am going to give 100% and work hard for the team – that is how I am, I am always the first one in training and the last to leave the training field.

“I want to learn, I want to improve and I want to be the best.”

Defoe will wear the number 18 shirt – once worn by Jurgen Klinsmann.