Middlesbrough are very close to securing the services of another Tottenham Hotspur youngster after winning the race for Will Lankshear earlier this summer.
According to reports, Middlesbrough have agreed to pay £20m to Spurs for Lankshear, including add-ons, on the back of the centre-forward’s impressive output for Oxford United last
Many Tottenham fans feel the club have made a huge mistake by letting the 21-year-old go, as they see the forward as a future potential first-team prospect.
Having raided Spurs for one of their best young strikers, Boro are now looking to poach one of the best young defenders at the club.
Middlesbrough in advanced talks to sign Tottenham starlet Ashley Phillips
Football Insider have now revealed that the Championship promotion hopefuls are holding ‘advanced talks’ with Spurs over a deal for Ashley Phillips.
Despite being just 21 years of age, Phillips has played more than 100 times in the Championship and has particularly impressed over the last two seasons on loan at Stoke City.
Boro are close to ‘sealing a deal’ to take the Tottenham defender to the Riverside Stadium ahead of the upcoming season.
If they do strike a deal, Phillips will become Boro’s seventh signing for the summer, as they look to go one step better next season after falling short in the playoff final last term.
How much are Spurs likely to earn from Phillips’ sale?
The Tottenham man was nominated for the Championship Young Player of the Year award last season, which shows just how big a talent he is.
It was reported by TEAMtalk a couple of weeks ago that Spurs want around £12m to let Phillips go, and while Football Insider do not mention the valuation, one would think that Boro are willing to pay that if they are close to an agreement.
One would also expect the Lilywhites to insert a big sell-on clause and include several add-ons as they did with the Lankshear, Tynan Thompson and Luka Vuskovic deals.