Middlesbrough attempted to address their finishing chances last season with the blockbuster signing of Will Lankshear from Tottenham Hotspur.

A new, clinical striker would have been at the top of the Riverside’s shopping list this summer, and in Lankshear, Borough have someone who can help them improve on their play-off final defeat in the coming season.

The 21-year-old is widely considered as one of England’s most promising young strikers, having scored 26 goals in 35 games for Tottenham’s under-21s before joining the senior squad at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the first half of the 2024/25 season.

He appeared and scored in the group stages of Spurs’ successful Europa League season a few seasons ago, and despite a disappointing loan stay at West Brom in the latter half of that campaign, another loan to Oxford United last year put him back on track.

11 goals for a relegated team as a young striker is extremely encouraging, and Middlesbrough will hope to further develop him at the Riverside in the future seasons.

Sheffield United is ready for a cash boost with Middlesbrough, Will Lankshear signing.

Given Lankshear’s obvious potential, Borough have had to pay a sizable fee for him, paying £10 million upfront and another £10 million in add-ons, which could break their club record.

Spurs will not receive the entire initial fee, however, as Sheffield United are set to benefit from the sale.

Indeed, after being released by Tottenham’s North London rivals, Arsenal, Lankshear spent time at the South Yorkshire club’s academy. He spent a year at Bramall Lane before Spurs paid £2 million to bring him back to London.

According to the Sheffield Star, the Blades inserted a sell-on clause that allows them to receive 20% of any fees Middlesbrough receives for Lankshear, potentially earning up to £4 million overall if all add-ons are achieved.

Will Lankshear’s windfall news is huge for Sheffield United as parachute payments dry up.

While Sheffield United may have preferred for Lankshear to fully integrate into the Tottenham fold and establish himself as a first-teamer before moving on, which would have resulted in even more of a cash boost if he moved on later, there’s no denying that any money coming in this summer is a huge boost for the Blades.

The new squad cost ratio financial rulings, combined with the fact that this is Sheffield United’s first transfer window as a Championship club without Premier League parachute payments since January 2019, have forced Chris Wilder’s side to be more cautious in their dealings.

The Blades were priced out of a bid for Lewis Dobbin, who joined Southampton for £10 million, and the same could happen with Harry Souttar, with Leicester City demanding £10 million for the Australian international.

The money from the Lankshear deal will not automatically allow Sheffield United to pay eight-figure transfer fees for targets, but any money that comes in without Chris Wilder having to sell his best players will be greatly appreciated.

The Blades have already had to say goodbye to Andre Brooks, an academy graduate, after Norwich City bid £8 million for him, and he has been replaced by Romelle Donovan on loan.

If a couple of million pounds comes in and reduces the pressure to sell any more of the Blades’ top players ahead of a vital Championship campaign, the upper management at Bramall Lane will be pleased.