Football Insider exclusive as Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi adjusts his coat, while chief executive Vinai Venkatesham applauds in a circular inset.
Football Insider exclusive as Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi adjusts his coat, while chief executive Vinai Venkatesham applauds in a circular inset.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the 21-year-old could go on to become a £60m player.
Spurs sold Lankshear to Middlesbrough this summer in a £20m package deal, and the starlet has already hit the ground running on Teeside.
Wyness believes that it is simply "unforgivable" that Tottenham did not insert a buy-back clause as part of the initial agreement.
Lankshear has begun the Championship season in electric form, and already has 13 goals from his opening 13 games.
Middlesbrough are flying high at the top of the table, and know that if they can get promoted, their striker's value could soar.
Will Lankshear 'black mark' explained
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that the sale of Lankshear serves as a "big black mark" on Spurs' transfer record from the summer.
The Scottish businessman feels that the North London outfit were perhaps too eager to generate cash to spend on immediate improvements to their squad.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness explained why Spurs are likely to regret their decision with Lankshear already.
"Middlesbrough will be very happy because they've obviously got an asset on their hands that could be turning from £20m into a £50m or £60m player, if not more," he said.
"He's young, with raw potential, and he's doing it. So let's see. But yes, it's a big black mark for Spurs that they missed that one.
"They were maybe just too eager to try and turn the squad around and move things forward because there's been a lot of movement at Spurs.
"But that's something that I think is unforgivable in terms of no buy-back."
Roberto De Zerbi pushing for new deal
Wyness previously told Football Insider earlier this week that Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi is pushing for attacking midfielder James Maddison to have his contract extended.
The Englishman has returned to action of late after another injury scare, but is heading towards the end of his contract in the summer of 2028.
However, Wyness believes that De Zerbi is keen to keep Maddison around, with his attitude and character deemed to be a perfect fit for the "dressing room."
The boardroom expert suggested that an appearance-based deal could even be on the cards, to protect Spurs if Maddison's injury woes continue.