Tottenham included one clause that could affect Middlesbrough’s Will Lankshear plans

It has been an outstanding start to the season for Middlesbrough in the Championship.

Middlesbrough went into the season as one of the promotion favourites, and they have certainly lived up to that billing so far, with the goals of new signing Will Lankshear helping to take Kim Hellberg’s side to another level.

Will Lankshear makes stunning Middlesbrough start after £20 million transfer deal

After losing to Hull City in last season’s play-off final, Middlesbrough invested heavily in the summer in an attempt to build a squad capable of winning promotion to the Premier League, and Lankshear was one of a number of expensive signings.

The likes of Radek Vitek, Ashley Phillips, Max Arfsten, Sebastian Berhalter, Rokas Pukstas and Kyle Joseph all arrived at the Riverside Stadium for big money, but there is no doubt that Lankshear was Boro’s marquee addition, with the striker making the move from Tottenham Hotspur for an initial fee of around £10 million, plus a further £10 million in add-ons.

If Lankshear felt the pressure of such a hefty price tag, he has certainly not shown it, scoring 13 goals in his first 15 appearances for Boro in all competitions, which is one more than he managed during the whole of last season during his loan spell at Oxford United.

Lankshear continued his fine form as he scored a brace in the 5-1 victory at Bolton Wanderers on Friday night, which saw Boro climb to the top of the Championship table for the first time this season.

Tottenham Hotspur detail in Will Lankshear deal will make Middlesbrough nervous

Middlesbrough’s failure to convert their chances was the main reason they were unable to secure promotion last season, so it is clear to see the difference that having a clinical finisher like Lankshear has made for Hellberg’s men.

However, as Lankshear continues to lead the Championship scoring charts, Boro will be aware that his exploits will lead to speculation over his future, and there is every chance that they may have to fend off interest from elsewhere in January.

With that in mind, Boro will be relieved that Lankshear’s former club Tottenham did not include a straightforward buy-back clause in the deal that would allow them to simply bring him back to North London, but the Premier League outfit did insert two provisions to protect their position.

As well as ensuring they will receive 20% of any profit from Lankshear’s future sale due to a sell-on clause, Spurs also have the right to match any bids that are accepted by Boro for the 21-year-old.

While that condition is not quite as threatening to Boro as a buy-back option, there may still be some unease at the Riverside Stadium that Spurs could come calling for Lankshear, particularly given their own goalscoring woes.