Tottenham agree to sign promising young defender Ashley Phillips for £3m from Blackburn Rovers - as... (original) (raw)

Tottenham agree to sign promising young defender Ashley Phillips for £3m from Blackburn Rovers - as the Championship side face pressure to cash in with financial issues looming

• The 18-year-old defender made 14 appearances in all competitions last term
• Phillips would be Ange Postecoglou's fourth signing since taking over at Spurs
• The youngster has undergone a medical and is expected to join the squad's tour

Published: 19:55 EST, 19 July 2023 | Updated: 19:55 EST, 19 July 2023

Tottenham have agreed a £3m deal to sign long-term target, centre-back Ashley Phillips from Blackburn Rovers.

The 18-year-old underwent his medical on Wednesday and will join Postecoglou’s squad for the latter stages of their pre-season tour in Australia and South East Asia if all goes to plan.

Phillips enjoyed a breakout campaign for Rovers last term, featuring eight times with a further six appearances across all competitions.

The highly-rated defender has also made several appearances for England across various junior levels over the past two years.

The new boss remains in pursuit of senior signings in central deference, however, and ideally wants them in before the Premier League season starts.

18-year-old Ashley Phillips made 14 appearances in all competitions for Blackburn last term

Ange Postecoglu is keen to bolster Tottenham's defensive unit ahead of their league opener

Spurs are looking at £50m-rated Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba (left), as well as Dutch U21 international Micky van der Ven (right), valued at £30m by Wolfsburg

But the acquisition of Phillips marks another prudent additions in north London, the fourth since the Australian took the reins last month.

The youngster departs a Championship side who only missed out on a play-off spot due to their inferior goal difference but are now under pressure to cash in with financial crisis looming.

Spurs meanwhile have launched a move for Burkina Faso international Edmond Tapsoba who is valued by his club Bayer Leverkusen at £50m.

Dutch Under 21 international Micky van de Ven has also been looked at but would cost the club around £30m to dislodge from Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg.