Tottenham set stance over prolific wonderkid attacker as summer interest grows

Tottenham have no intention of selling prolific young striker Will Lankshear this summer but a long list of clubs in the Championship and across Europe are keen on a loan move, football.london understands. The 19-year-old frontman enjoyed a remarkable 2023/24 season in front of goal after hitting 32 in all competitions as Spurs’ Under-21s won the Premier League 2 play-off final.

Lankshear was on the scoresheet twice in the final as the Lilywhites defeated Sunderland 3-1 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Very much proving that he knows where the back of the net is, a number of clubs in the Championship, including Middlesbrough, are believed to be interested in a loan deal for the striker ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

What comes next for Lankshear remains to be seen but he is at least expected to be involved in the early weeks of pre-season training under Ange Postecoglou while the next steps for him are decided. football.london understands that Tottenham did turn away a number of approaches for the player in January, with interest in England and also abroad.

Following his heroics in the Premier League 2 play-off final win against Sunderland, Lankshear spoke to football.london about his terrific season and the next stage in his development.

“I’m going to keep working hard. I’ll work in the off-season. I can only work on what I can control really. That’s just working hard and not losing focus. If it’s for the U21s or the first team when I come back, I’ll give it my all and I’ll try to score as many goals as I can for whichever team I play for,” he said.

“I’ve had a few sessions over there [with the first team]. It’s amazing. The more you’re over there, the more you’re going to improve. I’ve really enjoyed it when I’ve had the chance to go over there. I’ve just got to try to push on now. The coaches put on a session and you’ve just got to do it to the best of your ability. You’ve got to be at the level. I’ll try to get to that spot.

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“I just work hard. I like to give 100% and I won’t stop running and getting into the box, trying to score. I love scoring goals. That’s one of my massive passions. I do everything I can to do that and help the team.”

Tottenham will not be short on options for a number of their talented youngsters this summer going on the success they enjoyed under Under-21s coach Wayne Burnett. Following Chris Davies’ departure from Postecoglou’s backroom staff to take up the hotseat at League One side Birmingham City, there could possibly be a pathway for some of the club’s academy stars to get a taste of regular first-team football at St Andrew’s next term.

Young players such as Troy Parrott and Matthew Craig flourished on loan at Excelsior Rotterdam and Doncaster Rovers respectively last season. If Lankshear and some of his academy teammates are to depart this summer, they will be looking to follow in the footsteps of the aforementioned duo in their quest to become Tottenham regulars in the not too distant future.

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