England bowler Ollie Robinson has emerged as a surprise winter transfer target for Nottinghamshire, in a move that could see him reunited with Test team-mate Josh Tongue.
Robinson, who turns 33 next month, has 12 months remaining on his Sussex contract. However, Daily Mail Sport understands he held talks with the 2025 county champions before Paul Farbrace left his role as the club’s director of cricket to join Lancashire.
Nottinghamshire director of cricket Mick Newell and captain Haseeb Hameed are both understood to be admirers of Robinson, who has claimed 104 Test wickets in 24 appearances at an average of 19.25 runs per wicket.
A move away from Hove would require Nottinghamshire to pay compensation for the final year of Robinson’s current deal. Despite a firm inquiry into his availability, there have not yet been discussions at board level between the two counties.
Sussex are currently operating under ‘special measures’ and remain subject to financial control from the ECB. The county has been ordered to reduce its playing budget after recording a £1.33million loss during the 2024-25 financial year, meaning all player arrivals and departures must be approved by Lord’s.
The drive to cut the wage bill has already led to several departures from the south coast. They include recent England international Henry Crocombe, who joined Surrey, and veteran wicketkeeper John Simpson, who moved to Nottinghamshire.
England bowler Ollie Robinson (right) has emerged as a surprise winter target for Nottinghamshire, where he could team up with Test colleague Josh Tongue (left)
Robinson claimed his first Test five-wicket haul at Nottinghamshire’s Trent Bridge during the drawn match against India in 2021
Robinson, who was presented with the Bob Willis Trophy as England’s player of the year at Tuesday’s Cricket Media Club lunch at Lord’s, could now follow Simpson to Trent Bridge—or consider another destination—provided a compensation agreement can be reached.
Nottinghamshire are among several counties seeking experienced bowlers this winter. Lancashire are also looking to strengthen their attack after releasing Sir Jimmy Anderson, 44, despite the veteran taking 50 County Championship wickets for his boyhood county last summer.
Transfer fees remain unusual in county cricket, where players generally move once they become free agents. One notable exception came five years ago, when Essex signed Matt Critchley from Derbyshire using a specific clause in his contract.
Robinson’s return to England’s central contracts list for 2026-27 is another factor in his appeal. After a two-year absence, he will not count against Sussex’s wage bill next season, although his international commitments could limit his county appearances.
Counties may also be gaining confidence from the multi-million-pound windfalls generated by the sale of Hundred stakes. In the latest example, Hampshire agreed to pay Northamptonshire for Saif Zaib only a year after the batter extended his contract at Wantage Road.
Daily Mail Sport understands Zaib was close to joining Yorkshire in recent weeks before choosing to remain in Division Two with relegated Hampshire. He had become frustrated at not batting in the top four for Northants, the winners of the Twenty20 Blast.
The 28-year-old hit six hundreds under Australian coach Darren Lehmann as the Championship’s leading run-scorer in 2025. He also averaged more than 40 again last season, but believes a move to the Utilita Bowl offers a better route towards his future ambitions.
Northamptonshire have responded by replacing one left-hander with another. Yorkshire’s Finlay Bean has been given permission to move to Wantage Road despite having two years remaining on his Headingley contract.
Hampshire have agreed to pay Northamptonshire for Saif Zaib, just a year after he extended his contract at Wantage Road
Northamptonshire are replacing one left-hander with another after Yorkshire gave Finlay Bean permission to move to Wantage Road with two years still left on his Headingley deal
Yorkshire were reluctant to release Bean, 24, but were equally unwilling to retain a player who believed his future lay elsewhere. He had been removed from the top of the order during the middle of the season to make room for Will Luxton. No transfer fee was paid.
Leg-spinner Jafer Chohan is another Yorkshire player who could depart, despite being only two years into a three-year contract.
Chohan, 24, joined Yorkshire after an initial recommendation from Joe Root and has since been included in England squads. However, he has made just one first-class appearance in three years. Hampshire are understood to be interested in signing him.
