How Tottenham can pay off summer transfer already thanks to Ashley Phillips

Tottenham Hotspur have allowed Ashley Phillips to depart for Middlesbrough.

The Lilywhites have had a busy transfer window and it continues to follow that same trend.

Bringing in the likes of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali has gone down well.

Those transfers certainly came at a top-end price and those funds need to recouped one way or another.

That is where fringe players like Phillips come in as they represent sellable assets in North London.

The defender has now moved on as Spurs look to have done a stellar job on the negotiation table.

How much will Middlesbrough pay for Ashley Phillips?

Interest has built surrounding the 21-year-old after a positive campaign on loan at Stoke City last time out.

He went on to be a regular for the Potters as he played a key role in keeping 11 clean sheets in 40 appearances.

That has seen various second-tier outfits want him as part of their backline for the new season.

Middlesbrough have won the race as they confirmed a deal for Phillips on Saturday.

A report from Standard Sport journalist Sam Tabuteau has since suggested that Boro have paid £7million for his signature upfront.

Spurs could bag themselves up to £20m as the deal features a potential £13m in future add-ons.

That is on top of Tottenham holding a 20 per cent sell-on clause and matching rights for any future transfer.

How Phillips can pay for Marcos Senesi transfer

The Welshman was always likely to depart this summer due to the sheer centre-back depth in N17.

That is certainly the case given Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi have come in.

The latter signed on a free transfer, and according to Valuball, will cost Spurs £4.9m in wages per year.

Given that Phillips could bring in £20m for Tottenham, all being well, he could essentially cover four years worth of Senesi.

That is smart business from the Lilywhites and proves how things are changing in N17.