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Fabrizio Romano has provided a brief update on Andy Robertson after Atletico Madrid interest cooled last week.

There was a time when the 31-year-old’s place on Liverpool’s team sheet felt immovable.

Eight years, 300-plus appearances and every major honour later, the Scot suddenly finds himself in an unfamiliar holding pattern as transfer dominoes fall on either side of the Channel.

For weeks, word out of both Spain and Fabrizio Romano hinted that Atletico Madrid viewed the 31-year-old as the experienced Diego Simeone wanted.

Reports even suggested the framework of a deal had been sketched out.

However, almost as abruptly as the reports emerged, it was then revealed that Diego Simeone’s side pivoted their interest to Atalanta’s Matteo Ruggeri, agreeing a package worth around €20 million and effectively parking their Robertson pursuit for now.

Now, in an update for CaughtOffside, Fabrizo Romano has reported that the main reason his move broke down is that Liverpool rightfully did not want Robertson to depart on a free – and it seems the La Liga side were banking on that possibility:

“Andy Robertson – there was a possibility, a real possibility, for him to go to Atletico Madrid, but then Liverpool didn’t want the player to leave on a free transfer,” Romano said.

The Italian also revealed that the Scot will make and communicate a decision very soon:

“Now let’s see what’s going to happen with more clubs interested.”

“At the moment, the player himself has not decided what he wants to do, he never gave any final green light to Atletico, to respect Liverpool, and make his decision on the future very soon.”

There is no doubt that Slot values Robertson’s professionalism and leadership, but Kerkez was signed with an eye on the next decade.

His cost means that Slot and his staff will likely not envisage the Hungarian being a back-up option.

Should the Scot remain, the duo could alternate between domestic and European duties; if he opts to depart, Liverpool’s left flank is already future-proofed.

With pre-season less than two weeks away and Kerkez eager to stake his claim, Robertson will likely make his decision very soon as Romano assures.

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