Will Lankshear is making Tottenham Hotspur question their decision to sell him after an impressive start to life at Middlesbrough, where his goalscoring form has drawn comparisons with former Spurs captain Harry Kane.
The 21-year-old striker continued his remarkable run on Saturday, heading home Tommy Conway's cross to secure a 1-0 victory over Wolves. It was his ninth goal in just 12 appearances for Middlesbrough, underlining his growing reputation as one of the Championship's most promising forwards.
For Tottenham supporters, his success is particularly frustrating.
Lankshear has scored as many goals in all competitions as Spurs' entire squad since leaving north London in the summer. While Middlesbrough occupy an automatic promotion place in the Championship, Tottenham remain in the Premier League relegation zone.
Dominic Solanke's stoppage-time equaliser against Manchester United offered some relief, but it was also the first league goal scored by a Tottenham forward in five months.
With Spurs struggling for goals, the decision to sell Lankshear is increasingly coming under scrutiny.
Tottenham sold Lankshear to Middlesbrough during the summer transfer window for an initial fee of approximately £10m, with performance-related add-ons potentially taking the deal to £20m.
The striker signed a five-year contract at Riverside Stadium after attracting interest from several Championship and European clubs.
Despite his promising development, Spurs opted to cash in rather than integrate him into their struggling first team.
"A lot of fans are wondering why he was sold," Ali Speechly, co-chair of the Women of the Lane supporters' group, told BBC Sport.
Speechly suggested financial considerations may have influenced the decision, adding that Tottenham's difficult start to the season has made the transfer particularly disappointing.
Lankshear had already demonstrated his potential during a loan spell at Oxford United, scoring 12 Championship goals despite the club suffering relegation.
Before that, he scored 23 goals for Tottenham's under-23 side during the 2023-24 Premier League 2 campaign.
He also featured in Spurs' 2024-25 Europa League campaign, notably scoring against Galatasaray before receiving a red card.
However, opportunities at senior level remained limited, prompting his departure.
Middlesbrough's attacking approach has provided Lankshear with the ideal platform to develop.
Under manager Kim Hellberg, Boro have consistently created scoring opportunities but previously struggled to convert chances into goals.
That weakness was evident during last season's promotion campaign, when Middlesbrough managed just one goal across three play-off matches.
Lankshear has addressed that problem with his intelligent movement, physical presence and clinical finishing.
BBC Tees commentator Mark Drury believes the striker's natural instincts inside the penalty area have been particularly impressive.
Rather than relying on spectacular finishes, Lankshear regularly finds space in dangerous positions and converts opportunities with minimal touches.
Standing 6ft 2in, he combines aerial strength with an ability to finish using either foot.
His performances have made him an immediate favourite among Middlesbrough supporters and strengthened the club's promotion ambitions.
Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes regular first-team football has been crucial to his development.
Robinson argued that young players benefit significantly from competing in senior football rather than remaining in academy competitions.
For Lankshear, the opportunity to play consistently has already produced impressive results.
Lankshear's emergence has inevitably drawn comparisons with Harry Kane, another English striker who developed through Tottenham's academy system before establishing himself at senior level.
Both players possess a strong physical presence, an instinct for goals and a willingness to work for their team.
Their early career paths also share similarities.
Kane experienced several loan spells before becoming Tottenham's leading striker, while Lankshear has followed a comparable route through the Football League.
"I can understand the comparisons with Harry Kane," Robinson told BBC Sport.
The former goalkeeper highlighted their similar physical attributes and gradual development, suggesting Lankshear could benefit from following Kane's example.
Lankshear's journey has also included setbacks.
Initially part of Arsenal's academy, he was released before joining Sheffield United. Tottenham subsequently signed him for £2m when he was 17.
His early loan experience proved inconsistent, with an underwhelming spell at West Brom followed by a more productive period at Oxford United.
Speechly believes those challenges should not overshadow his potential.
She described Lankshear as a hardworking penalty-box striker whose movement and finishing instincts resemble Kane's.
Although matching Kane's achievements would be an enormous challenge, Lankshear's development suggests he possesses the qualities required to compete at a higher level.
Tottenham retained certain contractual protections when selling Lankshear, although they do not possess a traditional buy-back clause.
Instead, Spurs have the right to be notified of and match any future accepted offer Middlesbrough receive for the striker.
They are also entitled to 20% of the profit generated from a future sale.
That arrangement gives Tottenham an opportunity to compete for his signature if another club makes an acceptable bid, but it does not guarantee his return.
For Middlesbrough, the priority is keeping Lankshear focused on their promotion challenge.
Drury believes the striker possesses the technical ability, physical attributes and attitude needed to reach the Premier League.
Should he maintain his current trajectory, interest from top-flight clubs could become increasingly difficult to resist.
Lankshear's impressive performances have also sparked discussions about his international future.
The striker scored on his England Under-21 debut last month, further strengthening his reputation as one of the country's emerging attacking talents.
With Harry Kane now 33, England manager Thomas Tuchel faces the challenge of identifying potential long-term successors.
Tuchel has already indicated that he would consider selecting players from outside the Premier League, suggesting Championship football would not automatically rule Lankshear out of contention.
Although a senior England call-up would represent a significant step, his current form makes him an intriguing option for the future.
Much will depend on whether he can sustain his goalscoring record and continue developing other aspects of his game.
Lankshear's departure initially appeared to be a sensible financial decision for Tottenham, particularly given his limited senior experience and the potential £20m transfer package.
However, his immediate success at Middlesbrough has raised uncomfortable questions about Spurs' ability to identify and retain emerging talent.
While Tottenham struggle to find consistency in front of goal, their former academy striker is thriving in a team chasing Premier League promotion.
Comparisons with Harry Kane may be premature, but Lankshear's positioning, finishing ability and determination suggest he has the potential to become a highly effective top-flight striker.
For Middlesbrough, he could prove instrumental in securing promotion.
For Tottenham, he may become another example of a talented young player who fulfilled his potential elsewhere.
If Lankshear continues scoring at his current rate, Spurs could find themselves regretting a transfer that once appeared financially attractive.
