The 'Kane-esque' striker Spurs may regret letting go

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Will Lankshear is thriving at Middlesbrough after joining from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, and his early scoring run is prompting frustration among Spurs supporters. The 21-year-old forward scored again in Boro’s 1-0 win over Wolves, taking him to nine goals in 12 games, and has become an important part of a Middlesbrough side pushing toward the Championship’s automatic promotion places.

The article says Tottenham sold Lankshear for an initial fee of about £10m, with the total deal potentially rising to £20m through add-ons. Spurs do not have an immediate buy-back option, but they do have first refusal if Middlesbrough accept a future bid. BBC Sport notes that Tottenham have struggled for goals from their forwards this season, which has sharpened the debate over whether letting Lankshear leave was the right call.

Former Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson and supporters quoted by BBC Sport described Lankshear as a player who benefits from regular first-team football, rather than remaining in youth or fringe roles. The report also draws comparisons with Harry Kane because of Lankshear’s movement, finishing and late development path, while stressing that the two players are not identical.

More broadly, the piece places Lankshear within Middlesbrough’s recent habit of developing young players and selling them on, while suggesting his current form could keep drawing attention if he continues to score at this rate.