Tottenham came close to completing a deal for Andy Robertson in the January transfer window, but could not get a deal over the line due to Liverpool's inability to recall Kostas Tsimikas from his loan deal with Roma.
Spurs were expected to return to tie up a free transfer for Robertson in the summer - with his contract at Anfield expiring at the end of the 2025/26 season - but knew they would face competition from others for his signature.
Celtic have also been linked with a summer move to bring the 31-year-old home - he started his career with the Bhoys as a youth player although never went on to be part of the first team, eventually moving to Queens Park.
Tottenham Made Late Call To Sign Andy Robertson
Spurs even tried to complete a deal late in the January transfer window, making a late call to Liverpool to see if there was any way they would be wiling to let the Scot leave, but to no avail.
And they could not be hit with a setback when it comes to signing the left-back, whom journalist Henry Winter described as "elite", in the summer transfer window.
Liverpool have maintained that they would not stand in Robertson's way if he wanted to leave the club, given everything he has achieved with them in a nine-year career and that will still be the case. But Spurs - and Celtic's - job of securing a free transfer may get a bit more difficult in the summer after Liverpool performed something of a u-turn on the left-back.
Liverpool Make U-Turn On Robertson's Future
According to Teamtalk, the Reds are weighing up the idea of offering Robertson a new contract at Anfield.
That is not necessarily to keep him at the club for the long-term, given he is no longer a guaranteed starter, but more to safeguard the club in the summer. A new contract would mean Liverpool could demand a transfer fee for Robertson, rather than losing him on a free.
Tottenham were reportedly willing to pay £5million to sign Robertson, who has been described as a 'club legend' by the Athletic's Liverpool reporter Andy Jones, in January and may have to fork out that kind of figure again in the summer if the Scottish international pens a new deal with the Reds.
Spurs had initially outlined signing him for free in the summer before the prospect of a £5million January deal arose.