Overview
- Multiple outlets report Tottenham and Middlesbrough are in advanced talks over a permanent move for 21-year-old centre-back Ashley Phillips.
- Phillips is an England under-21 international who spent two seasons on loan at Stoke after a spell at Plymouth and has made more than 100 Championship appearances.
- Tottenham’s recent signings of senior centre-backs have reduced Phillips’ first-team chances, prompting Spurs to move academy players on for transfer profit.
- If completed the deal would be Middlesbrough’s seventh signing of the summer as manager Kim Hellberg rebuilds a defence that lost key leader Dael Fry.
- A permanent move would give Phillips regular Championship minutes and could help Middlesbrough’s promotion bid while allowing Spurs to reinvest funds from academy exits.