Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has given Spurs the thumbs up to pursue one player with an exceptional assist tally, according to talkSPORT.
Spurs set for Sunderland battle with summer plans ongoing
Despite the looming threat of relegation, De Zerbi and co are reportedly planning for the long-term behind-closed-doors.
Tottenham's very important afternoon is set to unfold at the Stadium of Light imminently, where De Zerbi takes charge of his first game as head coach.
Spurs go into the fixture inside the relegation zone after West Ham's 4-0 victory over Wolves on Friday moved the Hammers above them, meaning a point or better at Sunderland is needed just to get back out of the bottom three.
De Zerbi has seven games to drag his side to safety — this is the first of them.
The Italian has been unequivocal about his commitment to the job regardless of the outcome.
He has signed a five-year deal and confirmed he will remain in charge even if the unthinkable happens and Spurs are relegated.
But he also will know that the squad he has been promised for next season, and the project he was sold on when he accepted the role, depends entirely on Premier League football being secured.
That longer-term planning is already under way in the background, and one piece of summer business is now further advanced than most would have expected.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Tottenham have reached a verbal agreement to sign Andy Robertson on a free transfer in June, with all personal terms verbally settled between the two parties.
Robertson, 32, officially confirmed his departure from Liverpool on Thursday after nine years at Anfield.
The club announced he will leave when his contract expires at the end of the season, with the Scot having lost his starting place to Milos Kerkez this term.
Tottenham's interest is not new, as they came close to signing Robertson in January, only for the move to fall through when Liverpool could not recall Kostas Tsimikas from his loan at Roma.
Robertson did not push for the transfer at the time, content to see out the season professionally.
Roberto De Zerbi 'backing' Tottenham move for Andy Robertson
talkSPORT share some further details on Spurs' swoop for the Scotsman.
The broadcaster claims that De Zerbi is 'backing' Tottenham's move for Robertson, but there is one caveat — the Lilywhites will need to avoid relegation to successfully sign the Anfield hero.
Indeed, if Spurs are relegated to the Championship, the agreement falls away — Robertson will not be joining a second-tier club.
Juventus, Atlético Madrid and Napoli are all reportedly monitoring his availability and can offer him European football next season, which makes survival at Spurs a non-negotiable part of the equation.
talkSPORT's Jason Cundy made clear just what the club would be getting when making the case for the signing.
On Robertson's output over a career that has made him one of the finest left-backs ever to grace the Premier League, Cundy was particularly blown away by his penchant for assists.
"In terms of numbers, let me just tell you Andy Robertson's Premier League appearances. 373. 13 goals, 69 assists. Now that is insane for a full-back," said Cundy.
"He outstrips John Arne Riise who has 30. The closest to him is Ashley Cole, and he has 31. That's the closest. He's got 69.
"I think he's in the Premier League top three greatest left-backs."
The experience, leadership and winning mentality he would bring to a club trying to rebuild under a new manager are difficult to put a price on.
Whether he arrives at all depends on the next six weeks.