Middlesbrough have secured the permanent signing of Will Lankshear from Tottenham Hotspur in a deal potentially worth £20million, according to TEAMtalk. The Championship club finalised the agreement after weeks of negotiations, beating competition from several other clubs.
The 21-year-old striker attracted interest from across the Championship, including Southampton, as well as relegated Premier League sides Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley. However, Middlesbrough’s long-term vision for the player ultimately proved decisive, with Lankshear reportedly impressed by the project presented by Boro chief Kim Hellberg and the promise of a prominent role in their promotion push.
Lankshear spent last season on loan at Oxford United, where his performances drew attention from a number of suitors. He joined Tottenham in 2022 from Sheffield United, having previously been part of the Arsenal academy, for a fee of around £2million. This sale represents a significant profit for the North London club.
Despite allowing Lankshear to depart, Tottenham retain a high opinion of the England youth international and have included substantial protections in the transfer agreement. The club have secured a sell-on clause, meaning they will receive a percentage of any future transfer fee Middlesbrough receive for the player. Furthermore, Tottenham have negotiated matching rights, allowing them to match any offer for Lankshear should Middlesbrough decide to sell him in the future.
Lankshear had been expected to return to Tottenham for pre-season under new manager Roberto De Zerbi, but he expressed his desire for regular first-team football. Middlesbrough were able to offer him the consistent playing time he sought. Discussions between the two clubs have also extended beyond Lankshear’s transfer, with Tottenham exploring potential loan arrangements for other young players at Middlesbrough, viewing the club as a beneficial development destination.
Middlesbrough identified Lankshear as a key target following their play-off disappointment last season, and believe he will be a valuable addition as they aim for promotion to the Premier League. The move provides Lankshear with a platform to continue his development and showcase his potential in a competitive Championship environment.
