How Spurs really feel about Will Lankshear exit as Middlesbrough links emerge | OneFootball

The Spurs academy graduate has excelled on loan for Oxford United this season

Tottenham Hotspur's immediate future remains uncertain at this moment in time, with the North London club still fighting for survival in the Premier League as the season heads into its final weeks.

Spurs' recent plight has been extremely well-documented, as they have been under the management of three different permanent or interim head coaches this season, with Roberto De Zerbi now in the hotseat in N17 as they look to stave off a seismic relegation to the Championship before looking to push forward back to their prior position as European contenders.

As is expected to be the case with Leicester City following the Foxes' own shocking fall from the Premier League to League One in successive seasons, if Tottenham were to fall into the second tier for the first time in over 40 years, many high-profile stars would likely depart in order to somewhat aid the financial position at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Whilst they still remain inside the Premier League's relegation zone behind the likes of Nottingham Forest and West Ham United, with Burnley and Wolves' fates already sealed, the capital outfit could be swapping places with Middlesbrough in the pyramid, with Kim Hellberg's side still in with a shot of promotion after returning to form at the most critical time.

It has, ironically, also been a season of chaos and drama at the Riverside Stadium, with Kim Hellberg replacing Rob Edwards in November, just months after the latter had been given a managerial reprieve by owner, Steve Gibson.

As such, it remains to be seen what transfer policy the North East club adopts in Hellberg's first pre-season in charge, although the developments which occur in the promotion battle over time could impact one man who has impressed in the Championship this term despite a season of struggle for his temporary employers.

How Tottenham feel about selling Will Lankshear as Middlesbrough transfer truth emerges in Oxford United loan ace

Indeed, Oxford United are bound for League One again after two seasons in the Championship, albeit Matt Bloomfield's side certainly went down fighting before their drop into the third tier was confirmed on April 25th courtesy of Charlton Athletic and West Bromwich Albion avoiding defeat ahead of the U's 4-1 success over Sheffield Wednesday at the Kassam Stadium.

On-loan Spurs forward, Will Lankshear, grabbed his 10th and 11th goals of the season against the Owls, and now speculation has already surfaced over the 21-year-old's immediate future.

After playing a handful of matches for Spurs' first-team last season ahead of a disappointing loan spell with West Brom, Lankshear's development has come on leaps and bounds this term despite Oxford's relegation, and this has already attracted suitors from higher up the division.

It was exclusively revealed by Football League World in January that the England youth international had been targeted by Middlesbrough and Wrexham, before details later emerged that the Teesside club and Ipswich Town had seen offers rejected, which included a loan-to-buy deal worth £15m from Boro.

A fresh report from the Sun has now revealed that a permanent departure from Tottenham cannot be ruled out for the striker, who is expected to garner serious interest if that is to be the case, with Middlesbrough's prior stance cited again.

Will Lankshear's career could benefit from permanent Tottenham exit

At this stage, it remains to be seen what the future holds for Lankshear, particularly as a result of Spurs' on-pitch situation.

If the club were to be relegated, it would not be a surprise to see him feature more regularly in North London, having showcased his development and goalscoring ability in the Championship for Oxford.

It also comes as little surprise to see it revealed that a glut of clubs would like to lure Lankshear to their own projects on a permanent basis, and after two loan spells of mixed fortunes, that could best serve his individual career in the long run.

Despite their relegation, Lankshear has become a favourite among Oxford supporters, and his last game for the club looks likely to be the final-day trip to automatic promotion hopefuls, Millwall, on Saturday lunchtime.