Fresh Middlesbrough, Spurs transfer update must frustrate David Strelec | OneFootball

David Strelec likely won't be too pleased with the news of Middlesbrough's reported pursuit of Spurs forward Will Lankshear

Middlesbrough's ambitions of a return to the Premier League this season are slowly being realised, with the Teesside outfit edging closer to claiming one of the top two spots in the Championship as we enter the latter stages of the campaign.

Things could have been very different for Middlesbrough this season, with Rob Edwards leaving the club after just 16 games to join Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers; the wrong appointment could have completely derailed their year.

However, it would be fair to suggest at this point that they made the correct appointment, with Swedish boss Kim Hellberg making the move to the Riverside to take the reins of the club and continue their quest for promotion.

If anything, Boro have only gotten better as the season has gone on, which can only bode well for the latter stages of the campaign, when every single point gained will be crucial in determining their outcome.

Whether they find themselves in the top flight next season remains to be seen. However, this has not stopped them from outlining a potential summer transfer target, which could spell bad news for one particular member of the Boro ranks if a move were to happen.

Will Lankshear emerging as a Middlesbrough target can only be bad news for David Strelec

It was clear upon Hellberg's arrival that he wasn't totally convinced by the current crop of options in his squad, as he sought attacking reinforcements in the January window.

Both Leo Castledine and Jeremy Sarmiento joined the club, whilst Delano Burgzorg was allowed to leave on loan to Bristol City for the remainder of the season.

Though should they fire themselves to promotion, like almost any other side, Middlesbrough will need to make some additions across the board to prepare them for life in the top flight, with the forward areas a key place for improvement.

Morgan Whittaker and Tommy Conway have more often than not led the line for Boro this season, leaving Slovakian forward David Strelec, who was signed for £6.5 million up front with a potential £2 million in add-ons in the summer, out in the cold more often than not.

The 24-year-old has netted in games against West Brom, Hull City, Queens Park Rangers (twice), and Birmingham City, and will likely not take the news that Boro are reportedly pursuing another forward ahead of the summer.

As exclusively revealed by Football League World, Boro, alongside Wrexham, are interested in signing Oxford United forward Will Lankshear on a permanent deal this summer, with the 20-year-old thriving on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

With Strelec struggling for game time as it is, adding another forward option into the mix will only further limit his game time, regardless of what division they are playing in next season.

Scottish giants Celtic were also reportedly keen on signing Strelec this summer. However, it was Boro that won the race for his signature, though the move has not yet exactly worked out as they had quite hoped.

It's unwelcome news for Strelec, who has yet to make his mark at Boro since his move, and with time running out to do so this season, with Hellberg looking to add competition up top in the summer in the form of Lankshear, he may never get the chance.

Will Lankshear could prove to be an excellent piece of business for Middlesbrough, regardless of what division they are in

Lankshear has been an ever-present for Oxford up front this season, and although his eight goals and one assist at this stage are nothing to get off your seat about, only a fool would doubt his talents.

Signed by Spurs from Sheffield United for around £2.5 million in the summer of 2022, the 20-year-old had already made six senior appearances for the Europa League winners prior to his loan move this summer.

His first loan spell in the second tier with West Bromwich Albion didn't go too well, with no goals in 11 appearances, yet this time with Oxford, he has shown glimpses of what he is made of.

Standing at six-feet-two-inches tall, despite his age, Lankshear is incredibly physical, something which is an excellent trait to have at such a young age, and already proven he can hit the back of the net at this level.

Whether Spurs will be willing to sell to Middlesbrough this summer remains to be seen, as there is every chance Boro could be playing in a division higher than them next season.

Lankshear has an extremely bright future ahead of him, and Boro could pull off a real coup if they manage to secure his signature, much to the detriment of Strelec.