By OkayGoal 
Ashley Phillips is set to leave Tottenham Hotspur for Middlesbrough after a medical was scheduled following an agreed £7 million deal, with the young defender becoming the latest in a growing list of players to depart Spurs this summer in search of regular first-team football.
A handful of youngsters and first-team players have already left the club as Roberto De Zerbi continues to fine-tune his squad this window.
Mikey Moore and Mason Melia were both reported to be leaving on loan, with Melia’s move now confirmed as he prepares to turn out for Lincoln City for the forthcoming season. Luka Vuskovic, Alfie Devine, Will Lankshear and Alejo Veliz have also departed the club, each in search of the regular game time they were unable to secure at Tottenham. Phillips now follows that same pattern.
Ashley Phillips agrees Middlesbrough transfer from Tottenham
Reports indicated Middlesbrough were in advanced talks to sign Phillips, who Tottenham originally signed for £2 million in 2023.
The Northern Echo have since confirmed the defender will move to the Championship outfit for £7 million, with Spurs retaining a sell-on clause and also entitled to performance-based add-ons on top of the initial fee. The deal represents a sizable profit for Tottenham on a player who made limited first-team impact during his time at the club.
Why the Middlesbrough move makes sense for Ashley Phillips
Phillips already knows the Championship well from his previous spell at Stoke City, and he will look to spearhead Middlesbrough’s push for promotion this season after they narrowly missed out on going up last time around.
He will also reunite with Will Lankshear, another recent Tottenham departure now at the club, which should help ease any nerves that come with settling into a new environment. Having a familiar face already established at Boro gives Phillips a smoother platform to build his career away from north London.
Ashley Phillips Tottenham Middlesbrough transfer FAQs
Is Ashley Phillips leaving Tottenham?
Yes. Ashley Phillips has agreed a £7 million move to Middlesbrough from Tottenham, with a medical scheduled to complete the transfer.
How much did Tottenham sign Ashley Phillips for?
Tottenham originally signed Ashley Phillips for £2 million in 2023, meaning his £7 million sale to Middlesbrough represents a significant profit for the club.
Does the Ashley Phillips deal include a sell-on clause?
Yes. Tottenham have retained a sell-on clause as part of the Ashley Phillips transfer to Middlesbrough, along with performance-based add-ons on top of the initial £7 million fee.
Which other players have left Tottenham this summer?
Mason Melia has joined Lincoln City on loan, while Luka Vuskovic, Alfie Devine, Will Lankshear and Alejo Veliz have all also departed Tottenham this summer in search of regular first-team football. Mikey Moore has also been linked with a loan move.
Has Ashley Phillips played in the Championship before?
Yes. Ashley Phillips previously had a spell at Stoke City in the Championship, giving him existing experience of the division ahead of his move to Middlesbrough.
