England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has become the first big-name player to leave Leeds following their relegation after the club agreed to sell him to Tottenham Hotspur for £1,5-million.
But Spurs have been rebuffed in a bid to bring Leeds’s teenage forward James Milner to White Hart Lane as part of their rebuilding programme for next season.
Mick McGuire, Milner’s representative, said the London club had made a ”fantastic bid” for Milner but that the 18-year-old was happy to stay at Leeds and help their battle to bounce back from relegation to the first division.
”In fairness, the bid was tremendous and the way both clubs have conducted themselves in this matter has been thoroughly professional and at no point did we feel that Leeds were trying to push James out the door,” said McGuire, who is also deputy chief executive of the players’ union, the PFA.
”James is totally committed to Leeds and wants to stay at Elland Road and he feels that another year with added responsibility can only enhance his ability as a player.”
Robinson’s move, confirmed by Spurs on Thursday, remains subject to the England number two agreeing personal terms and passing a medical.
Provided there are no last-minute hitches, the 24-year-old will link up with his new teammates after coming back from Euro 2004 in Portugal this summer.
His signing is bound to cast doubt on the future of Spurs’ current number-one goalkeeper, Kasey Keller. The American has been an ever-present in the Spurs’ side — and one of its most consistent performers — for the past two seasons.
The capture of Robinson came a day after Tottenham announced the release of ageing stars Darren Anderton, Gus Poyet and Christian Ziege.
The club are still attempting to finalise who will be their manager next season after spending most of the current campaign under the leadership of caretaker boss David Pleat.
Spurs travel to relegated Wolves for their final game of the season on Saturday with a 13th-place finish the best possible outcome after a turbulent and frustrating time following the sacking of Glenn Hoddle barely a month into the season. — Sapa-AFP