Championship side West Bromwich Albion have enquired about Tottenham Hotspur forward Jamie Donley’s availability next season for a potential loan deal after his successful League One loan with Leyton Orient.
The Baggies had a disappointing end to their 2024/25 Championship season, and are already looking to strengthen their squad ahead of the upcoming campaign, as per Charlie Haffenden.
Donley has had a breakthrough season with Leyton Orient on loan, scoring eight goals and providing 11 assists as he helped the The O’s to a 6th-place finish.
However, his successful season means Orient are unlikely to secure his services again next season, especially if they fail to win the League One play-offs.
Therefore, West Brom have emerged as possible suitors for the 20-year-old’s next destination, as they look to gain promotion back to the Premier League after five successive seasons in the second-tier.
How has Donley performed this season?
The Northern Ireland international has been influential in Leyton Orient’s odds-defying top six finish this season.
The club lost all of their four opening League One matches, leaving them at the foot of the table.
However, a resurging run of form, notably their 11-game unbeaten run from December to February, including an FA Cup victory over Derby County, saw them surge away from trouble and straight into the play-off mix.
Donley has been at the heart of Orient’s successes, recording 19 goal contributions in 50 games in all competitions and putting him top of the League One assist charts.
His outstanding campaign even saw the forward claim the club’s Player of the Season award, showing his quality and importance to the team.
The Orient number 17 has averaged 2.02 chances created and 0.21 expected assists (xA) per 90 this season – putting him amongst the best in the division.
Therefore, due to his sheer quality, it is likely that Donley will be playing Championship football next season to further continue his development.
If Leyton Orient fail to win the League One play-offs and gain promotion to the second-tier, they will be unlikely to reobtain Donley, giving West Brom the chance to sign the Spurs youngster on a temporary basis.
How will Donley fit into West Brom’s team?
West Brom’s 9th-placed finish in the Championship last season ended with a run of just nine points from the club’s last 10 games.
Despite exciting January signings like Adam Armstrong and Isaac Price, the Baggies were again unable to secure promotion to the Premier League after a play-off semi-final defeat to Southampton the season before.
Therefore, the club will no doubt be looking to dip back into the transfer market in the summer to push for promotion, and Donley could be the ideal signing.
Due to his versatility on the pitch, the Tottenham academy graduate could slot into a handful of positions for Albion next season.
Attacking midfielder John Swift is leaving the club as a free agent following the expiration of his contract, leaving a hole in the squad that Donley could fill.
The Leyton Orient loanee has nearly doubled Swift’s shot on target percentage this season, 30.4% compared to 17.6%.
This could mean that, despite playing in a lower league, Donley could replace the 29-year-old and may even be an upgrade, if the numbers are anything to go by.
Moreover, flying winger Tom Fellows has been linked with transfers to a host of clubs, such as top-flight side Everton, and the two-time Northern Ireland international could also play there if needed.
Therefore, Donley could be a fantastic addition to West Brom’s squad next season, but they will likely have to fend off stiff competition as a result of his breakthrough season with the O’s.
What role could Ryan Mason play in the signing?
West Brom are currently searching for their next permanent manager after Tony Mowbray’s dismissal last season with two games to go.
Albion legend James Morrison oversaw managerial duties on an interim basis but the Black Country club may look to find a new permanent manager ahead of next season.
A potential candidate for the role is Ryan Mason, who is currently an assistant coach under Ange Postecoglu at Tottenham.
He has been interim manager of the North London side twice before, but aside from that has limited experience in a first-team dugout.
Should Albion appoint Mason as head coach, it could entice Donley to rekindle the Spurs link and move to the West Midlands with a familiar face – something West Brom’s owners could consider when choosing their next manager.
West Brom Join Race to Sign Spurs Youngster
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