Middlesbrough’s summer window is only getting better, as after a difficult start, the Teesside team has completed some amazing business, with another statement signing on the verge of completion.

Middlesbrough, who narrowly lost out on promotion the last time around, are determined not to make the same mistake again.

Borough are wasting no time in finalising a deal for Tottenham Hotspur defender Ashley Phillips after excelling in negotiations with Manchester United for goalkeeper Radek Vitek, who is expected to join on a permanent basis for a fee of up to £14 million.

According to Pete O’Rourke of X, Borough are in advanced talks with the Premier League club over a permanent contract for the England junior international, with Phillips expected to go to Teesside sooner rather than later.

Middlesbrough are in ‘advanced negotiations’ for the signing of Tottenham defender Ashley Phillips.

As first reported by Alan Nixon via Patreon two weeks ago, Middlesbrough are seeking to bolster their defensive options with the arrival of Phillips this summer, with TEAMtalk further reporting that the Lilywhites value the 21-year-old at approximately £12 million.

Borough are not playing around this summer, as deals for Myles Peart-Harris, Kyle Joseph, Sebastian Berhalter, Max Arfsten, and Will Lankshear have already been completed, with the latter potentially worth £20 million.

With Vitek likely on his way, Phillips appears to be shortly following suit, as Borough set a tone for the remainder of the Championship with their bold signings.

Phillips joined Spurs for about £2 million in the summer of 2023, but he has yet to make a competitive first-team appearance in North London, instead spending time on loan with Plymouth Argyle and Stoke City, the latter over the past two seasons.

The Englishman has demonstrated his ability to compete at an incredibly high level in the Championship, as Borough try to bring one of the best centre-backs around to Teesside as soon as possible.

How does Ashley Phillips fit within Kim Hellberg’s Middlesbrough squad?

With the departures of Dael Fry, Matt Targett, and Daragh Lenihan, Borough were always going to need defensive reinforcements this summer, as well as someone to partner Adilson Malanda in the heart of the Riverside defence, and Phillips appears to be that person.

Since taking over, Hellberg has led Middlesbrough to some of the most attractive football in the Championship, from a neutral standpoint.

Ashley Phillips’ Stoke City Championship Stats: 2025-26 Season

Appearances

40

Clean sheets.

11

Yellow cards.

5

Defensive contributions: 336

Blocked shots

33

aerial duels won

130

Successful passes.

1,502

His defenders must be comfortable playing out of the back, which Phillips has demonstrated to be more than capable of during his time at Plymouth and Stoke.

Phillips, who is only 21, has almost a century of Championship game experience and plenty of time to grow.

No fee has been revealed as of yet, but Borough appear to be getting a good deal in any case, as Phillips will effortlessly integrate into Hellberg’s defence alongside Malanda.

How have Middlesbrough fans reacted to the Ashley Phillips update?

With news of Phillips’ discussions progressing, Middlesbrough fans have flocked to social media to respond to the issue, in what is shaping up to be a very intriguing summer in the North East.

The enthusiasm at the Riverside is apparent, with Borough having an absolutely wonderful transfer window, and if a deal for Phillips goes through, it’s difficult to imagine them as anything other than promotion candidates.

This Borough fan sees a bright future for the club, with requests already being made to order the open-top bus following promotion.