It was a summer of change at Tottenham Hotspur, with the club and manager Roberto De Zerbi determined to do what it takes to make finishing 17th in the Premier League a distant memory.
It was clear that more quality needed to be added to the playing squad, and to help balance the books, some players were sold. Young striker Will Lankshear was one of them, but could he now be the answer to their goalscoring woes?
Turning The Tide
Spurs began their 2026/27 Premier League campaign in disappointing fashion.
They failed to score in their first four games and didn’t win until mid-October, when they ran out 3-1 winners against newly promoted Coventry City. Following their victory over Coventry, Spurs have put a couple more wins on the board, and the tide looks to be turning.
However, what remains a problem for De Zerbi is the central striker position.
Dominic Solanke is the club’s only recognised out-and-out striker, but he hasn’t been able to convert the chances that come his way regularly enough, with one goal from nine appearances in the league. Richarlison is still at Spurs but is out of favour and wasn’t registered by De Zerbi.
The Answer Was Already In The Building
Spurs signed defenders, midfielders and wingers this summer, but the position they neglected to strengthen was at the very top of the pitch.
Solanke, who has missed a lot of football during his time at Spurs, is therefore under pressure to deliver, especially as Richarlison is unable to play in the club’s Premier League fixtures.
But maybe Spurs didn’t need to strengthen, because maybe the answer to their goalscoring woes was already in the building and ready to take his chance.
Will Lankshear may only be 21, but he’d already proven he’s got an eye for a goal while on loan at Oxford United last season. He’s also 6ft 2in, so physically, he’d be able to cope with the demands of the top flight.
With 13 goals in 13 games to his name for Middlesbrough in the Championship already and counting, he’s looking like the prolific striker Spurs having been missing for a while.
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Could Lankshear Return To Spurs?
The reality is, Middlesbrough, who only signed Lankshear in the summer, will be reluctant to let him leave, especially if they’re promoted in May. However, if the England U21 cap keeps up his relentless goalscoring form, he will be the subject of interest from a whole host of top clubs, as football transfer betting online will detail when the window opens.
If reports are to be believed, this could play right into Spurs’ hands, as it’s suggested they have the ability to match any offer made for Lankshear should Middlesbrough decide to sell him.
That means a return is possible for a striker who has followed in Harry Kane’s footsteps and proven himself in the EFL.
Extra Time Notes
Spurs are starting to click under Roberto De Zerbi, but if they could find a goalscorer who’s deadly in the box, they’d do even better.
Will Lankshear is looking like he can be that striker, with his movement and finishing in the box as his standout attributes. Spurs may have sold him just several months ago, but if they get a chance to take him back, they’d be fools not to take it.
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