Tottenham fans have been left split after reports that Will Lankshear is edging closer to an exit this summer transfer window.
Will Lankshear is one player who has been attracting interest at Tottenham Hotspur so far this summer transfer window.
The 21-year-old forward put in a solid display in the Championship last season, scoring 11 goals and providing four assists for Oxford United.
His impressive campaign has led to several clubs across the Championship and Europe becoming keen on his services.
Sporting CP were reported to have shown interest in Lankshear earlier this summer, while Spurs reportedly rejected offers from Southampton, Sporting Lisbon and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Tottenham fans react to Middlesbrough interest in Will Lankshear
The offers involved potential deals in the eight‑figure range, either as a straight permanent transfer or a loan move with an obligation to buy.
Just yesterday, it was revealed that Lankshear is now in advanced talks with Middlesbrough over a permanent move.
Boro are willing to pay Tottenham more than £10m to sign Lankshear, just one day after Spurs sold Tynan Thompson to Man United.
Tottenham fans have caught wind of the latest reports, and many are concerned about the rate at which academy stars are being sold this summer.
One Tottenham fan said: “Are we just sacking off the academy?” Another added: “What is the new manager really doing he is pissing me off. Signing for high amount can’t get the young lad into his team.”
One more commented: “I’d genuinely rather sell Solanke and Richy, bring in a new no 9 and keep Lankshear as the backup striker.”
Others, however, were not too pleased with the reports: “How are we selling him before Richy💔” One more stated: “What the f**k are we doing man?”
While one other fan stated the academy was simply for profit: “guys are too sentimental about academy kids, a major thing with an academy is making pure profit to make the first team better lol.”
One more commented: “Not mad at it. Not everyone will make it through. As long as we insert a buy back option, I’d be happy. The lad needs gametime instead of rotting on our bench next season,”
While a final Tottenham fan added: “Is this club f**king dumb this is why we need a sporting director to go against de zerbi there is such thing as a straight loan don’t sell everyone.”
Spurs’ youth sales continue to divide opinion
The frustration of fans is very understandable given how the transfer window has gone so far at the north London club.
While Tottenham have signed players who have genuinely improved the squad, with the likes of Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke, they have also shown a willingness to let young talent leave.
Luka Vuskovic was another young sale that many fans could not entirely get behind given his potential to become one of the best in a few years.
Spurs have also sold Tynan Thompson to rivals Manchester United, while Alfie Devine, Alejo Veliz and Radu Dragusin are all players below the age of 25 to have departed.
At the moment, the average age of sold players stands at 20.8 and, with more and more young players attracting interest, there could yet be further departures.