Middlesbrough have agreed a club-record £20million deal to sign Tottenham striker Will Lankshear. Spurs officially confirmed earlier today that Middlesbrough have secured the striker on a five-year contract after beating competition from several Championship clubs and overseas sides.
Standard Sport understands that Middlesbrough will pay £10m up front, with a further £10m potentially due in add-ons for the 21-year-old. Tottenham have also protected themselves long-term by inserting a 20% sell-on clause and matching rights for any future bids. Spurs also retain a 20 per cent sell-on clause and matching rights for Lankshear, who joins Middlesbrough in search of regular first-team minutes.
Taking to social media to signal the end of his chapter in North London, Lankshear posted an emotional message to express his gratitude to the club’s staff, his teammates, and the fans. “After 4 incredible seasons at Tottenham, my time has come to an end. I’d like to thank all the staff, players and fans for making my time so enjoyable and helping me along the journey. Tottenham will always be engraved in my heart. Thank you🤍”
Lankshear is highly regarded internally at Spurs, but acknowledged they could not offer him the game time he needed to develop. The 21-year-old forward, previously linked with a move away one year ago, called time on his stay in North London ahead of the upcoming campaign as he seeks guaranteed first-team minutes.