Middlesbrough have completed a deal with Tottenham for the transfer of 21-year-old central defender Ashley Phillips, who has represented the England youth teams.
The Londoners opted against a third consecutive loan arrangement for the player, who previously spent time at Stoke City, and have agreed to sell him on a permanent basis.
Financial details and club relations
According to sources, the guaranteed fee for the deal will be £7 million, with potential bonuses for player achievements taking the total value beyond £10 million.
Building on ties with Tottenham, Middlesbrough also signed forward Will Lancaster from the North London club earlier this summer in a deal worth over £20 million including add-ons. The overall expenditure on Spurs players by Boro will exceed £30 million.
The club’s spending budget has been bolstered by the sale of Hayden Hackney and a percentage from the resale of Morgan Rogers. Club owner Steve Gibson has already invested over £50 million this summer, fueling a significant transfer campaign led by manager Kima Hellberg.
Other new faces in the squad
Phillips is the latest high-profile addition for Middlesbrough, who narrowly missed out on promotion after losing in the Championship play-off final. This overhaul includes goalkeeper Radek Vitek from Manchester United (£14 million), as well as Jeremy Sarmiento, Kyle Joseph, and US international players Max Arfsten and Sebastian Berhalter.
