Thomas Frank Keen to Retain ‘Immense’ Tottenham Starlet He Previously Tried to Sign at Brentford
New Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank is already making some firm decisions ahead of his first pre-season in charge — and one of them involves keeping hold of a highly-rated young striker he once attempted to bring to Brentford.
The North London outfit is poised for a significant squad overhaul this summer following the departure of Ange Postecoglou. With Frank now at the helm, numerous young players will be under evaluation, and early signs suggest the Danish boss has his eye on one particular talent: Will Lankshear.
According to Spurs insider Alasdair Gold, Tottenham have decided not to entertain any loan offers for Lankshear at this time. The reason? Frank wants to personally assess the 20-year-old during the club’s upcoming pre-season preparations in early July. The Dane is eager to see the striker up close before making a decision on whether a temporary move would benefit his development.
Gold shared on his YouTube channel:
> “Will Lankshear has attracted interest from a host of clubs across England and Europe who are keen to take him on loan. West Bromwich Albion, now managed by Ryan Mason, are particularly keen to bring him back. But what I understand is that Thomas Frank wants to take a look at him first before deciding what’s next.”
Lankshear spent the latter half of last season on loan at West Brom. While he didn’t score in his 11 appearances, his performances were nonetheless described as ‘immense’ by those around the club — a testament to the impact he had in areas beyond goalscoring.
The striker is at a pivotal stage in his career. Regular minutes are crucial for his growth, especially in sharpening his finishing and decision-making in the final third. Despite his modest goal return last season, Lankshear remains a highly regarded talent within Tottenham’s youth setup.
Interestingly, Thomas Frank is already very familiar with the player. Back in August 2022, reports from Sky Sports revealed that Brentford, then under Frank’s leadership, had a bid accepted for Lankshear while he was still a rising star at Sheffield United. However, Spurs swooped in with a late £2 million bid, sealing the deal and snatching the teenager from under the Bees’ noses.
Brentford had high hopes for Lankshear, believing he had “huge potential.” His move to Tottenham was seen as a blow, given the level of excitement surrounding his expected arrival at the West London club.
Now, Frank finally has the opportunity to work with a player he once identified as a future star. And his early move to block a loan departure suggests the manager still believes Lankshear has what it takes to make the grade — this time in a Spurs shirt.
The striker got his first taste of senior European action last season, scoring his debut professional goal in a Europa League group stage match against Galatasaray. Unfortunately, that landmark evening was marred by a second yellow card that saw him sent off in the same game, which Tottenham lost 3-2.
Even so, it marked a significant milestone in Lankshear’s development, and Thomas Frank clearly believes there’s more to come. Whether the striker remains at Spurs next season or heads out on loan will depend on how he performs during the pre-season — but one thing is clear: Frank intends to make that call himself.
This summer, as the Danish coach stamps his authority on the squad, Lankshear will be one of several young players given a chance to impress — and possibly force their way into Frank’s long-term plans at Tottenham Hotspur.