Will Lankshear has brought the curtain down on his Tottenham Hotspur career, completing a permanent switch to Middlesbrough in a deal reportedly worth up to £20 million with add-ons.
After a strong loan spell at Oxford United last season, plenty of supporters felt the 21-year-old striker had done enough to break into Roberto De Zerbi’s plans as Tottenham’s third-choice forward. Spurs, however, decided to cash in on one of their most rated academy products instead. Middlesbrough are said to have moved swiftly to land Lankshear as they bolster their squad for another promotion push, with the young forward expected to feature prominently in their campaign.
Before making the move, Lankshear penned a heartfelt goodbye to Tottenham fans. Having made his senior bow under Ange Postecoglou back in 2024, he went on to make three first-team appearances and scored once. Limited game time aside, he remained a fan favourite, with many hoping he’d eventually grow into the club’s long-term successor to Harry Kane up front.
Posting on Instagram, Lankshear thanked those who’d shaped his four years at the club, writing that his time at Tottenham had come to an end after four brilliant seasons, and expressing gratitude to the staff, players and fans who made the journey memorable, adding that the club would always hold a special place in his heart.
Reaction to his exit has been mixed. Some fans feel Spurs have let go of a striker with genuine top-flight potential, while others accept the logic of cashing in for a fee this size on a player still finding his feet at senior level.
From Tottenham’s side, it’s a smart piece of business. The reported £20 million fee lands as pure profit under Financial Fair Play regulations, underlining the strength of the club’s youth setup. Reports further suggest Spurs have safeguarded their interests going forward by building in a sizeable sell-on clause along with a buy-back option — meaning they could still profit down the line, or potentially bring Lankshear back if he flourishes at his new club.
For now, the young striker turns his attention to life at the Riverside, while Tottenham continue building a squad they hope can push near the top of the Premier League under De Zerbi.
