Spurs close on Robinson

Leeds showed their willingness to sell Robinson by agreeing a fee with Aston Villa last June, but the player refused to go sparking a war of words with club chairman John McKenzie. A fee of £3m was widely reported at the time, but informed sources suggest it was closer to £1.5m. Given the fact that he has conceded more goals than any other Premiership goalkeeper this season, his valuation is unlikely to have increased.

Spurs have been searching for a new goalkeeper following the departure of Neil Sullivan to Chelsea last summer.

Manchester City are also said to be interested in Robinson, who has two and a half years left on his contract,

Leeds's financial plight eased slightly today thanks to the £6m lifeline which has given them time to find a new owner.

Deputy chairman Allan Leighton, who is expected to quit the board, is to make a £2.2m loan and creditors will free up a further £4m by holding back interest payment demands, to keep the club afloat.

The refinancing deal agreed by chief executive Trevor Birch with Leeds's principal bondholders means there will be a standstill on repayments and buys him two months to find a possible buyer.

If he had not been able to agree the deal with American institutions Met Life and Teachers, and British firm M&G, Leeds

would have faced the prospect of falling into immediate administration.

Now they have been given breathing space to secure long-term finance, either through another debt deal or by finding a new owner who is prepared to buy out the existing shareholders.

Leighton is expected to form a consortium to launch a bid for the club if a takeover proves necessary. He could find himself pitched against other investors, including the Bahraini sheikh, Abdul bin Mubarak Al Khalifa who, who has told the stock market he is considering making a offer. Leeds have debts of £78m.