Middlesbrough’s transfer window officially opened on Tuesday night with the signing of Will Lankshear, but the 21-year-old may not be the only Tottenham Hotspur player to arrive at Riverside this summer.

Lankshear became Boro’s third signing of the summer, but the first to allow the Teesiders to really flex their financial muscle as they attempt to enhance Kim Hellberg’s side ahead of what they hope will be another promotion-challenging season.

The forward may become Middlesbrough’s record signing when his initial £10 million fee is increased to £20 million if all add-ons are fulfilled. With the potential of the 21-year-old, he appears to be well worth the outlay.

Following the much-needed attacking arrival, the Riverside’s focus has shifted to upgrading the defence line.

Captain Dael Fry left the club this summer at the end of his contract, so a new centre-back is clearly required, and Borough are turning to Tottenham once more to try to sign another highly-rated youngster.

Middlesbrough dominate the chase for Ashley Phillips.

According to Alan Nixon, Middlesbrough are interested in signing Tottenham defender Ashley Phillips.

Despite only turning 21 in late June, the centre-back has a plenty of Championship experience, primarily with Stoke City, where he spent the previous two seasons on loan.

Phillips’ first experience in the second tier came at Blackburn Rovers, where he came through the academy. Spurs quickly signed him after 14 appearances for Rovers, paying his £2 million release clause to bring him to North London in the summer of 2023.

Like Lankshear, the 21-year-old has failed to break into the senior squad at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but he is regarded as one of the best young English players in his position, having made five Under-21 appearances for the national team.

As a result, Nixon believes Borough will have to pay £10 million or more to re-sign the centre-back from Spurs.

That eight-figure cost puts Kim Hellberg’s side ahead of several Championship clubs, notably Stoke, who would want to have him return after making 83 appearances for them in two seasons.

The new squad cost ratio financial rules have enabled second-tier clubs to make an impact in the transfer window. That, combined with at least £16 million coming in for Hayden Hackney this summer, suggests Borough have the potential to make another eight-figure deal this window.

Middlesbrough fans’ reactions to Ashley Phillips transfer links

Phillips has shown plenty of promise and leadership qualities at Stoke in recent seasons, and last year, despite another middling low-mid-table finish, the Potters had the Championship’s fifth-best defence.

As a result, Borough fans are very excited about the prospect of bringing in someone who is experienced at the level but still has a lot of room to grow.

Middlesbrough fans have expressed their support for the news after it was shared on the Boropolis fan page.”Wow, this has been a generational few days,” one fan commented. “Seriously moving now,” another said.

Another Borough fan begged the club to “get him involved,” and one fan simply said, “GET IN.”

Boro’s strong spending power continues to surprise fans, and reports of a move for Phillips are adding to the confusion.Another ten million? What is [Steve] Gibson cooking?” One fan inquired. Finally, many Middlesbrough fans are sceptical of the links that have surfaced in recent days, and they are unsure of the future.

What they do know is that, under Kim Hellberg, Borough is putting together a vibrant, young group that may easily push for automatic promotion again.