West Brom handed boost in race to sign Spurs prospect after big Thomas Frank decision | OneFootball

The Baggies have been linked with a loan move for the 20-year-old this summer.

West Bromwich Albion have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur youngster Jamie Donley, who they have been tracking throughout the summer transfer window.

The Baggies first made an enquiry about signing the 20-year-old back in May, to assess whether he would be available ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, having impressed during a loan spell at League One side Leyton Orient last season.

It was then reported that Spurs had turned down offers from clubs wanting to take Donley on loan in June, with Thomas Frank keen to work with the youngster during pre-season before re-assessing the situation later in the transfer window.

Now, it has been revealed that Tottenham are willing to sanction a loan move for Donley this summer, alongside a number of other young players, including Will Lankshear, who spent the second half of last season on loan at The Hawthorns.

It will be interesting to see whether West Brom make a move to sign their long-term target on loan now that Frank has made a decision regarding his short-term future.

Ryan Mason could be reunited with Donley

West Brom were interested in taking Donley on loan this summer before they appointed Ryan Mason as their new head coach, but the arrival of the 34-year-old may have given them an advantage in the race to sign the attacker.

Mason is likely to have worked closely with the Spurs' academy graduate during their time together in North London, with the West Brom boss having been on the coaching staff at Tottenham prior to landing his new role.

Donley has been involved with the first-team in recent years, and has made a handful of Premier League appearances in his short career so far, but his loan spell at Leyton Orient last season is what gave him the platform to make a name for himself in the EFL.

Mason will no doubt have known what Donley is capable of before he made an impact at Brisbane Road, and his relationship with the 20-year-old could help West Brom if they do attempt to sign him on loan before the end of the transfer window now that he is available.

With Spurs having reportedly knocked back loan advances earlier in the transfer window, it would be no surprise if other clubs also showed an interest in signing Donley on a temporary basis, but the Baggies' long-standing interest and Mason's familiarity with the player could put them in pole position to win the race for his signature.

Donley would be a smart signing for West Brom

Signing Donley on loan would be a shrewd piece of business for West Brom, and would be a reward for the patience they have shown in their pursuit of him throughout the summer.

The 20-year-old was a key part of the Leyton Orient side that reached the League One play-off final at Wembley last season, and his quality means he could play an important role for West Brom as they look to mount a promotion push of their own in the Championship during the 2025/26 campaign.

Donley has four years left to run on his contract at Tottenham, which shows how highly he is rated by the Premier League side, and the Baggies could benefit now that Thomas Frank has decided another season out on loan is the best course of action.