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Arsenal reject Lankshear already gaining Spurs promotion

An under the radar summer signing has been impressing for Tottenham this season.

The North London club spent a lot of money for manager Antonio Conte in the summer transfer window.

However, 17-year-old Will Lankshear, who arrived from Sheffield United, was not a signing that many fans celebrated.

Lankshear has been impressing Spurs coaching staff members and has been training with Conte's first team.

"It's a good deal for lots of reasons," Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom told Yorkshire Live when the teenager left the club in the summer.

"In terms of him as a player we really like him. We think he has a good gift to score goals and credit to Steve Holmes (head of academy recruitment), Jack Lester and all the academy staff last year for getting that player in.

"He was only let go from Arsenal 12 months ago so for us to get a deal potentially up and above £2.5m is fantastic business for a 17-year-old lad who could leave us next summer. Once you get certain clubs come in, whether it's right or wrong, they made contact and the player and the dad wanting to leave it makes things difficult. He is our player and we had to make sure the deal was right.

"He's a scholar and there is a professional contract there for him but like I say he doesn't have to sign it. You look at the teams who were in, Brentford, Spurs, I have said before we are never going to offer the most money. No player is coming for money the pathway is what we can offer. We wish him well, we love the kid. Everyone deserves a big pat on the back for getting him here.

"First, identifying that Arsenal may release him. Second, for getting him in the door because he could have gone elsewhere for more money and better facilities, but he would not have got better coaching and a better environment in terms of development. That's what we hoped would keep him but unfortunately we can't."

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Ansser Sadiq

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