Middlesbrough and Tottenham Hotspur are in a dispute over the transfer of defender Ashley Phillips, with the potential deal worth up to £20 million currently on hold. The transfer stalled over the weekend after concerns were raised during the 21-year-old center-back's medical examination at Middlesbrough's Rockliffe Park training ground.
Boro had agreed to terms that would see them pay an initial £7 million, potentially rising to £20 million, for Phillips. However, the identified issues have led to the move being put on pause as all parties attempt to reach a resolution. Middlesbrough is reportedly considering an initial loan deal for the player.
Phillips, who joined Tottenham from Blackburn Rovers for £2 million in 2023, has yet to make a senior appearance for the North London club despite being part of their squad for four seasons. He has spent recent seasons on loan, including the second half of the 2023-24 campaign at Plymouth and the past two seasons at Stoke City.
If the transfer to Middlesbrough is revived, it would mark another significant move for Kim Hellberg's squad this summer. Following a substantial sell-on fee from Morgan Rogers' £116 million transfer to Chelsea from Aston Villa, Middlesbrough has already signed several players, including Jeremy Sarmiento, Will Lankshear, Radek Vitek, Sebastian Berhalter, and Kyle Joseph. The team also secured a 1-0 victory against Wrexham in the Carabao Cup first round on Friday night.