Arsenal are reportedly monitoring Middlesbrough striker Will Lankshear after the 20-year-old made a striking start to the season in the Championship.
Lankshear has scored 15 goals in 16 appearances since joining Middlesbrough from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, drawing attention from a number of clubs in England and Europe.
Arsenal interest in Will Lankshear
The forward began his career in Arsenal’s academy before moving to Tottenham, and his current form has placed him among the Championship’s most closely watched young attackers.
Manchester United, Brighton and Everton are also understood to have followed Lankshear’s progress. Newcastle United, Sunderland and Leeds United have checked on his situation, while Borussia Dortmund are monitoring the striker as well.
Tottenham retained matching rights on future offers for Lankshear when he left the club, although they do not have a buy-back clause.
Middlesbrough determined to retain striker
Middlesbrough are not expected to consider a January departure as they continue their push for promotion to the Premier League. The club have invested heavily in Lankshear and regard him as an important part of their plans.
Lankshear is also said to be content with his current situation and has no immediate desire to leave, making a move during the January transfer window difficult for Arsenal and the other interested clubs.
A recent hamstring problem briefly interrupted his campaign, although the injury is not considered particularly serious.
