Ash Phillips' move from Spurs to Middlesbrough: What is actually going on? | OneFootball

The England youth international has been the subject of heavy interest from Boro

Middlesbrough have invested heavily throughout the summer transfer window in a bid to return to the Premier League for the first time since the 2016/17 season.

The Teesside outfit will also be under Kim Hellberg's management for a full season this term, after the Swede replaced Rob Edwards last November, before going on to suffer heartbreak in the promotion race.

After missing out on automatic promotion through a major dip in form, Boro were reinstated to the play-off final in the wake of Spygate, but were defeated 1-0 by Hull City at Wembley Stadium on May 23rd.

But, it is fair to say that plenty of hype has been generated at the Riverside Stadium through the club's transfer activity, especially high-profile moves for Radek Vitek and Will Lankshear from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.

However, a move for the latter isn't the only deal the Reds are targeting with the North London side, but what is actually going on in the transfer saga involving England Under-21 international and former Stoke City loanee, Ash Phillips, amid heavy interest from the Championship side?

Middlesbrough have overcome Stoke City competition in Ash Phillips transfer saga

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As well as receiving interest from the promotion hopefuls, it has been widely reported that the Potters are looking to strike their own permanent deal with Tottenham, with Phillips spending the past two seasons on loan at the Bet365 Stadium.

After coming through the ranks at fellow second tier side, Blackburn Rovers, the 21-year-old was signed by Spurs in the summer of 2023 in a deal worth £3m.

Since then, though, the defender has also spent time on loan with Plymouth Argyle as well as the Staffordshire side, but had made 83 appearances for the latter in his two combined stints, scoring one goal.

However, it was claimed last month that Middlesbrough would hold a financial advantage in the race for his signature, but since then, a frustrating hold-up in the deal has been widely reported ahead of the first weekend of the new Championship season.

Middlesbrough hit frustrating stumbling block in Ash Phillips pursuit

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Indeed, the financial advantage Middlesbrough were said to have had over Stoke, who have made some intriguing transfer moves themselves, was laid bare when it was reported that an initial bid of £7m, which could rise to a staggering £20m with add-ons, was agreed between the two clubs.

However, it was later revealed that the deal had hit a frustrating stumbling block for Hellberg's side, who would have hoped to have added to their squad ahead of the opening day against Lincoln City.

It has since been claimed by local publication, the Northern Echo, that the snag in the deal also came to the fore after the centre-back had travelled up to the North East to complete his medical.

Kim Hellberg addresses Middlesbrough's centre-back situation as Ash Phillips saga continues

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Despite recruiting as many as seven new players across his midfield and attack, Hellberg has now admitted that the centre of his defensive department is currently lacking in depth.

Dael Fry has joined Birmingham City after the former Boro captain's contract was unable to be re-negotiated, whilst Darragh Lenihan also exited on June 30th and Alfie Jones was not involved in pre-season due to another injury sustained at the FIFA World Cup with Canada.

“I think we need one more central defender,” said Hellberg.

“I think that’s quite clear, and I think that will happen. It’s just a question of when and who. But I think there will be one more centre-back here in a few weeks.”

It has now been reported, rather unsurprisingly, that Middlesbrough are attempting to revive a deal for Phillips between now and September 1st, with the highly-rated defender also not featuring as a part of Roberto De Zerbi's pre-season plans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.