Sources: Middlesbrough face Will Lankshear ultimatum as Newcastle swoop

Newcastle tracking Middlesbrough striker Lankshear, 21, who has scored 13 in 13 Championship games; his price tag has tripled to £30m.

Middlesbrough face pressure to secure Premier League promotion this season or risk losing young striker Will Lankshear to Newcastle and other elite clubs. The 21-year-old has impressed since his £10m summer move from Tottenham, netting 13 goals in 13 Championship games.

Newcastle are among several top-flight sides monitoring his progress, though sources say it will be "very hard" for Boro to retain him beyond next summer if they fail to go up.

Lankshear's valuation has already tripled to £30m and continues to rise with each strong performance. Middlesbrough view him as a star in the making and are determined not to sell cheaply. His reputation is growing rapidly, with the England setup also taking notice of his breakthrough season on Teesside.