Tottenham defender follows Cristian Romero through exit as £20m deal confirmed | OneFootball

Young star leaves after struggling to break into first-team picture

Middlesbrough have completed the permanent signing of Tottenham defender Ashley Phillips.

Standard Sport understands the Championship side have agreed a package potentially worth up to £20million for the 21-year-old.

Middlesbrough will pay an up front fee of £7m with £13m in potential add-ons, while Spurs retain a 20 per cent sell-on clause and matching rights on any future sale.

Phillips’ former club Blackburn Rovers, who he joined Spurs from for £2.5m in 2023, will receive 15 per cent of the profit from the deal to take the England youth international to Middlesbrough.

Having racked up over 100 Championship appearances during his time with Blackburn and subsequent loan spells with Plymouth Argyle and Stoke City, Phillips is set to play an important role in Middlesbrough’s bid for promotion back to the Premier League.

This is the second time this summer that Middlesbrough have raided Spurs, with Kim Hellberg’s side also securing the services of striker Will Lankshear in a deal that could also reach £20m if all add-ons are met.

Spurs, meanwhile, make their seventh permanent sale of the summer, with Radu Dragusin also leaving the club on loan to Fiorentina with a £21.4m obligation to buy upon reaching a set number of appearances.

Spurs are also expected to facilitate the permanent departure of versatile defender Djed Spence to Inter Milan over the coming days.

Despite spending £237m already this summer, Spurs remain in the market for new signings before the close of the transfer window.

Manchester City winger is high on their list of targets, with manager Roberto De Zerbi admitting he wants two to three new players through the door before the window closes on September 1.