Robinson expected to make Spurs switch

Tottenham hope to soon wrap up the signing of Paul Robinson from Leeds after new talks between the two clubs over the England goalkeeper.

The Londoners finally look set to complete the signing of the 24-year-old after initially making their move for him in January.

Robinson almost moved from Elland Road to White Hart Lane for £2.5m (€3.7m) when the transfer window opened but the deal fell through at the last minute.

But Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is determined to get his man and is on the verge of completing the deal for a knock-down price of £1.5m (€2.2m).

Robinson is expected to make his farewell appearance for relegated Leeds at Chelsea on Saturday, two days before he gets married, and then join Spurs for pre-season training after returning from England duty at Euro 2004.

Leeds chairman Gerald Krasner told the club’s website, www.leedsunited.com: “We are in advanced talks but nothing is signed, sealed or delivered.

“Tottenham have expressed an interest, and put forward a figure but we cannot complete any deal at this stage, we hope to do that early next week.”

The move for Robinson came on the day the club announced they were releasing Darren Anderton, Gus Poyet and Christian Ziege – with skipper Jamie Redknapp being handed a new one-year deal.

Levy paid tribute to all three senior players after announcing that the club would not be renewing their contracts.

“I should like to thank the players and wish them well in the future,” said Levy.

“In particular we wish Darren well after no less than 12 years at the club. Gus and Christian have given the supporters much to cheer about during their stay too. We wish them luck for the future.”

Anderton, capped 30 times by England, joined the club from Portsmouth in 1992 and has made more than 350 appearances in all competitions.

Poyet moved to White Hart Lane from Chelsea in the summer of 2001 and has made 97 appearances despite a serious knee injury in 2002-03 and suffering a broken arm in August.

Ziege also arrived for the start of the 2001-02 campaign and recovered from a career-threatening injury on Boxing Day 2002 to take his tally of appearances to 54.

Redknapp’s contract was also up this summer but Levy added: “I am pleased to announce that Jamie will be staying with us for next season.”