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Middlesbrough are reportedly in advanced talks over the signing of two-time Stoke loanee Ashley Phillips. Boro have emerged as favourites to land the Tottenham centre-half who has spent most of his time at the bet365 Stadium since 2024. Phillips, aged 21, has been identified to replace captain Dael Fry, who has joined Birmingham City as a free agent after leading Kim Hellberg’s side to the play-offs last term. Hellberg has already signed striker Will Lankshear from Spurs for about £10m rising to a potential £20m this summer. Lankshear spent last season on loan at Oxford in the Championship. There has been talk that Phillips could cost a similar initial fee. Phillips has not been short of options this summer as he and his club decide his next move. Stoke have brought in Luke Graham from Dundee this summer to fill the Phillips vacancy. There is hope that Bosun Lawal will have a fit, full season in the middle of defence while captain Ben Wilmot is fighting for his place. But Phillips will be guaranteed a warm reception if he returns to the Potteries as an opponent. Middlesbrough are in town on October 13. FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK PAGE! Latest Stoke City news, analysis and more via the Sentinel Who could leave Stoke? Graham, Lawal and Wilmot have left Maksym Talovierov down the pecking order 12 months on from his arrival from Plymouth Argyle. Mark Robins namechecked the Ukraine international for his performance following a 1-0 friendly win over Everton last week but he was left on the bench against Valencia on Saturday. Ben Gibson, who joined the club two years ago, is also looking short on potential game time in the final year of his contract. Ben Pearson could be a victim of an overhauled midfield department too. The 31-year-old is also in the final 12 months of his contract, having joined in 2023. Lyon’s reported interest in Bae Junho has grown a little quiet at the same time as the French club has been busy in the transfer market, spending nearly €35m on seven players over the last few weeks. That said, exits are expected soon which would create room in the squad. Lyon president Michele Kang was born and raised in South Korea and the Seoul press continues to speculate that her club is keen on Junho. Swansea chase Valencia playmaker Swansea are apparently closing in on a £5.2m deal for Valencia playmaker Andre Almeida, who played the final half hour of a friendly against Stoke last weekend. He had a last minute shot that was saved by Viktor Johansson in a 1-1 draw. Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph claims that the transfer would involve a £3m initial fee plus add-ons of £2.2m. The player was left out of Valencia’s training yesterday in preparation for his exit. Swansea, who start their Championship campaign at Stoke on August 15, are also reportedly set to sign striker Ross Stewart as a free agent. WalesOnline report: “Should he join Swansea, it would likely spark fresh concern over star striker Zan Vipotnik, who already has competition from Adam Idah ahead of the new season. Joseph Opoku, who arrived earlier in the summer, can also play there, meaning Vitor Matos would have no shortage of options for the new campaign.” What do you think? Click HERE to join the debate