Tottenham’s £10 million Lankshear sale sparks Lange criticism

Tottenham Hotspur have sanctioned the £10 million transfer of 21‑year‑old striker Will Lankshear to Championship side Middlesbrough, a fee that could rise to £20 million with add‑ons. The move, completed over the summer, has drawn fire on the club’s hierarchy as they sit bottom of the Premier League after spending more than £300 million on new signings.

Wenham labels the deal a disaster

John Wenham, a self‑described Tottenham expert, blasted CEO Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange for what he called an “utter disaster”. He told Tottenham News, “It does [look silly] when you exclude Richarlison out of choice as well, because it basically means all we have got now is a Dominic Solanke that’s devoid of confidence, Mathys Tel is devoid of confidence either on the left wing or as a striker, and I think Marmoush is better suited playing as a 10 or off the wing than as a striker.” He added, “We have actually let go of a striker that is bang in confidence, that’s got the correct build to be a striker, especially in a De Zerbi system. He’s English, he supports the club, and he’s scoring goals for fun, it doesn’t just look like a mistake, it looks like an utter disaster to have moved Lankshear on.”

Lankshear thrives at Middlesbrough

Since joining the north‑east club, Lankshear has found the net with regularity, scoring eight goals in his first eleven appearances. His form contrasts sharply with Tottenham’s early‑season struggles to score, highlighting the impact of his departure.

De Zerbi’s squad lacks a proven striker

Roberto De Zerbi has been backed more than any other Tottenham manager in recent times, having guided the club away from relegation on the final day of last season. Yet, despite bolstering every area of the squad, the addition of an elite striker was clearly a blunder by the transfer chiefs, as Spurs only managed their first two league goals of the season against Aston Villa in the previous match.

Vuskovic’s Brighton move contrasts with van Hecke’s Spurs fee

Tottenham have also been criticised for allowing Luka Vuskovic to join Brighton for £46 million, with a further £4 million in add‑ons that could lift the total to £50 million. Vuskovic is thriving in a Brighton side that currently sit third in the Premier League, while Jan Paul van Hecke arrived at Tottenham earlier in the summer for a £52 million fee.

Wyness blames lack of succession planning

Former Everton chief Keith Wyness argued that Tottenham were forced to sacrifice Vuskovic because they lacked a succession plan. “It’s early days, and I think we’ve got to stress it is five games in. But there is a feeling that certainly that’s the way it’s going (Brighton better off),” he told Football Insider. “The weakness from Spurs’ point of view is that they were sacrificing a young generational talent for a 26‑year‑old who needed to come in because they hadn’t got the succession plan in place for stability in the defence.”

Spurs face Man United with De Zerbi under pressure

Spurs return to action on 10 October at Old Trafford, where they will meet a Manchester United side not in the best of form. De Zerbi faces the prospect of dismissal if results do not improve quickly, underscoring the urgency of the club’s transfer missteps.