Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Middlesbrough’s top scoring striker has given Tottenham Hotspur plenty to think about after an impressive start at the Riverside Stadium following being sold by the Londoners likethey have been with Troy Parrott and his form since leaving. However, a January 2027 Premier League move could prove difficult despite his recent goalscoring form.
As reported by the likes of BBC Sport, Will Lankshear has quickly become a valuable player for Middlesbrough, scoring 11 goals in 14 appearances across competitions. including goals in his last 3 League games.
The 21-year-old joined Boro from Tottenham in the summer on a five-year contract. Reports have suggested the deal could reach £20 million, including add-ons, although the full financial terms remain unconfirmed.
He came on as sub vs Cardiff City and needed one chance to score and is now one of the only men in double figures across the 4 divisions of the pyramid.
🏴📈 𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥 (𝟮𝟭) is the 𝟮𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗢𝗣 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗥 in ENGLAND. ⚽️ 11 GOALS 📊 JUST BEHIND HAALAND FANTASTIC 👏 https://t.co/gA9yyA5nQc
— Rising Stars XI (@RisingStarXI)
Why Tottenham could reconsider their decision
Lankshear struggled to establish himself in Tottenham’s senior side, despite producing impressive numbers in the academy. He scored 23 goals in Premier League 2 during the 2023-24 campaign before gaining senior experience through loan spells at West Bromwich Albion and Oxford United.
His time at Oxford offered valuable first-team experience, and his subsequent move to Middlesbrough has provided a platform to develop further. At Boro, he has found regular opportunities to play and has shown an instinct inside the penalty area.
Tottenham‘s decision to sell him now looks questionable, particularly given their struggles to find consistent goals from their forwards. However, the club’s contractual protections could prove significant if his performances attract Premier League interest.
According to the BBC report, Tottenham hold matching rights on future accepted bids for Lankshear and a 20 per cent share of any profit from a subsequent sale. Those provisions give Spurs a degree of control, but they do not amount to a guaranteed buy-back clause.
Would a January 2027 Premier League move make sense?
A January transfer remains possible, but clubs would need to consider Middlesbrough’s promotion ambitions, the asking price and the striker’s limited Premier League experience. His current scoring rate makes him an attractive prospect, yet it doesn’t guarantee immediate success at a higher level.
Tottenham could emerge as a logical destination if they decide to revisit their original decision. However, there is no confirmed evidence of Premier League clubs pursuing him, so any suggestion of a January transfer remains speculation.
Which Premier League club should take the risk on Lankshear?
On the bench? No problem for Will Lankshear! #FantasyEFL | @Boro https://t.co/tjEKif8Pka
— Fantasy EFL (@FEFLOfficial)
A mid-table Premier League club seeking a young centre-forward could benefit most from signing Lankshear, provided the fee reflects his potential rather than his recent scoring run. Such a club could offer regular minutes without placing the burden of leading the attack entirely on his shoulders.
The likes of Man United and other top 6 teams are unlikely to be interested despite their need for goals. Everton, Sunderland Crystal Palace or Forest might be more suitable destinations and you could see the attraction for Lankshear if he was offered the chance of Premier League football in January but he would likely be better served staying put.
For Middlesbrough, selling suring the season would make little sense if they remain serious promotion contenders. Lankshear supplies the penalty-box movement and finishing that can turn creative possession into decisive goals, making him particularly valuable during the second half of the season.
Tottenham, meanwhile, must decide whether their previous assessment still holds. His development suggests they could have sold a useful long-term option too early, but one productive spell in the Championship isn’t enough to establish him as a Premier League regular.
My view is that a January raid would carry more financial risk than reward for most interested clubs. Waiting until summer 2027 would provide a clearer picture of his consistency, physical adaptation and ability to maintain his scoring rate against stronger opposition.
If Middlesbrough win promotion as a SuperComputer has predicted with Lankshear key to that, his value could rise considerably, while another productive Championship campaign would strengthen his case for a top-flight opportunity. For now, regular football at Boro offers Lankshear something Tottenham couldn’t guarantee: the chance to develop through meaningful senior minutes and the chance to fire Boro to promotion they will be hoping.