Middlesbrough reach new £7m Spurs transfer breakthrough | OneFootball

Middlesbrough are closing in on the signing of Ashley Phillips from Spurs after agreeing an initial £7m fee for the defender.

Tottenham’s Ashley Phillips is closing in on a move to Middlesbrough after the two clubs agreed an initial £7m fee for the defender.

After missing out on promotion in heartbreaking fashion in the play-off final last time out, where Oli McBurnie scored a last minute winner at Wembley, Boro are determined to go one better in the 2026/27 campaign.

With Hayden Hackney’s departure for Everton, combined with a sell-on clause after Morgan Rogers moved to Chelsea from Aston Villa, the Teesside outfit have been in a position to spend this window.

Kyle Joseph, Sebastian Berhalter, Max Arfsten and Will Lankshear have already joined the club in eye-catching deals, with Radek Vitek set to solve what had been a problem position in goal for Boro as well.

Middlesbrough poised to sign Spurs’ Ashley Phillips in initial £7m deal

However, with Dael Fry having left for Birmingham City after his contract had expired, Middlesbrough are also in the market for defensive reinforcements, with Phillips having emerged as a prime target.

And, it appears Boro have made a significant breakthrough in their pursuit of the 21-year-old, as reporter Scott Wilson has confirmed that a medical is scheduled for the centre-back after terms were agreed.

“Boro agree a permanent deal with Tottenham for defender Ashley Phillips. £7m as initial payment, with future add-ons also included in the deal. Personal terms all but agreed. Medical pending…”

Phillips joined Spurs as a teenager in 2023, but he understandably struggled for game time in the capital, and he will depart having not played a competitive game for the club.

But, loan spells with Plymouth and Stoke in that period mean he has been getting game time, with Phillips particularly impressing with the Potters during the past two years.

Ashley Phillips is another coup for Middlesbrough in exciting transfer window

This has been an outstanding transfer window for Middlesbrough so far, and the club deserve so much credit for identifying young, talented players who will improve the XI.

Of course, the money from Hackney and Rogers has allowed them to spend, but they still needed to bring in quality, and it appears they have done just that.

Kim Hellberg would’ve known exactly where Boro needed to strengthen, and after sorting out the goalkeeping, left-back, midfield and striker position, perhaps the only major addition needed to be in central defence.

In Phillips, Boro are getting someone who has excelled at this level with Stoke, and he also fits the profile of what they want in terms of his age and potential to improve, which could bring a big sell-on fee down the line.

Even at 21, Phillips has played a lot of football, and the fact Stoke named him captain at points last season shows exactly what sort of character he is.

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Crucially, as well as bringing athleticism and power to the backline, he is also calm and composed in possession, which will be pivotal to the way that Hellberg wants to build out from the back.

So, all connected to Middlesbrough will be hoping that this is finalised swiftly, as it would be another statement signing that will have them believing automatic promotion should be the aim this season.