Boro’s recruitment team, led by head of football Kieran Scott, are understood to have agreed the framework of a deal for Lankshear with the hierarchy at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Boro officials will now attempt to push through a permanent deal for the 21-year-old, who has been one of the most in-demand forwards in the Football League since the start of the summer.
The Teessiders are hopeful of beating off competition from a number of different clubs to sign Lankshear, who has been on Boro’s transfer radar for the last couple of years.
Lankshear joined Spurs from Sheffield United’s academy ranks in the summer of 2022 for a sum of around £2m.
He made his senior Tottenham debut in a Europa League game in October 2024, and spent the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan at West Brom, making 11 senior appearances for the Baggies.
He spent last season on a season-long loan at Oxford United, and while his temporary employers suffered relegation, his time at the Kassam Stadium was regarded as a major success as he scored 12 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions.
Boro looked into the possibility of signing Lankshear in the January transfer window, but the youngster remained at Oxford and saw out the season with the Us.
Strong, athletic and a leader of the line adept at holding up possession, Lankshear’s signing would add another dimension to Boro’s attacking play.
Kim Hellberg has suggested that he will continue to use Tommy Conway as a wide attacker next season, meaning David Strelec, Kaly Sene and the unproven Cruz Ibeh are currently the only central-attacking options on Boro’s books.