Middlesbrough FC transfer latest: Boro beat off interest from two Championship rivals to sign Will Lankshear
MIDDLESBROUGH have beaten off stiff rival Championship interest to complete the signing of Tottenham Hotspur striker Will Lankshear for an initial £8million.
The 21-year-old, Boro's number one attacking target this summer, has signed a five-year deal with the club, who held a long-standing interest in the player.
Wolves, Southampton and Sporting CP are all understood to have had offers turned down for Lankshear this summer, prior to Boro winning the race for his services.
The overall package is said to be worth £20million, including £12m in potential add-ons.
Spurs have included a 20 per cent sell-on clause in the deal along with matching rights on any future bids for the Hertfordshire-born frontman.
The matching rights clause would enable Spurs to match any offer accepted by Boro for Lankshear from another club.
Lankshear, who moved to Spurs from Sheffield United's academy in 2022, excelled during a loan spell in the Championship at Oxford United in 2025-26, netting 12 goals.
He made his senior Tottenham debut in a Europa League game in October 2024, and spent the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan at West Brom, making 11 senior appearances for the Baggies.
On signing, Lankshear said: "Middlesbrough is such a massive club over the years; I deem it to be a Premier League club.
"The project here really excites me. I can’t wait to get started and be part of the journey, and get this club back where it belongs.
"I feel like now is the best time in my career. I’m ready to hit the ground running and help this club."
Lankshear is the club's fourth signing of the summer, following Jeremy Sarmiento, Myles Peart-Harris and Kyle Joseph.