Football League World

James Maddison has sent his well-wishes to Coventry City's latest signing, Yang Min-Hyeok, after his loan move was confirmed on Wednesday morning.

The South Korean starlet spent the first-half of the season on loan at Portsmouth before he was recalled by his parent club, Tottenham Hotspur, and he will now be targeting the Championship title with the league leaders as Frank Lampard eyes his first promotion in management.

Min-Hyeok, who made 15 appearances in the league for Pompey, has three goals to his name already this season and will be looking to add to his tally following this weekend's FA Cup third round fixtures as the Sky Blues face Leicester City in their next second tier clash at the CBS Arena.

With excitement building in the West Midlands following an extraordinary campaign for Coventry so far, one of their own, Maddison, has sent their newest acquisition a caring message on social media following his move to CV6.

James Maddison's message to Yang Min-Hyeok after Coventry City move

Maddison made 42 appearances for the Sky Blues between 2014 and 2016 after coming through the club's academy, finding the back of the net five times, while also picking up five assists.

The attacking midfielder was born in Coventry, and while his days at Leicester did bring out arguably his best on the pitch, it is clear to see that his heart still lies with his boyhood club, and he may have been influential in Min-Hyeok's move to the CBS Arena following a spell at Fratton Park.

Maddison posted on his Instagram story: "Let's go Yangggg!!! What a city and what a club! Told you that in pre-season 😉. Good luck mate 💙."

The 19-year-old has the chance of making his debut this weekend against Stoke City in the FA Cup, with Coventry making the short trip to the bet365 Stadium on Saturday afternoon following a run of three games without a win in the league.

Yang Min-Hyeok's first words as a Coventry City player

QPR were able to get the first taste of Min-Hyeok in English football last season following his permanent move from Gangwon FC in South Korea to Tottenham. The winger played 14 times for the R's, scoring twice while also picking up an assist as the West London outfit finished 15th in the Championship.

Nonetheless, this will be the teenager's biggest test so far since moving from his home country, with the battle at the top of the second tier becoming closer and closer. Despite this, Min-Hyeok remains confident in his ability. Speaking for the first time as a Coventry player, he told the club's media: "I’m very happy and excited to join a club with such strong traditions and history.

"When I played against Coventry, I really felt the positive atmosphere within the team, and that made me even more excited about becoming part of this club. The Head Coach explained very clearly how he plans to use me and how I could fit into the team, which gave me a lot of confidence that this is the right place for me.

"I want to help the team achieve its goal and to do that, I need to adapt as quickly as possible, show my qualities on the pitch, and prove why I am here."

Coventry City are set to bolster their frontline with the addition of 19-year-old Tottenham Hotspur winger Yang Min-hyeok, after he was recalled from his spell at Portsmouth.

It's a decision that has taken a few neutral Championship fans, and Coventry fans too, by surprise, as the Sky Blues have a plethora of talent out wide and are also set to welcome Crystal Palace winger Romain Esse on loan for the rest of the season.

It's not that Coventry doesn't need reinforcements. It's well known that sides need that extra attacking boost to maintain a title charge following a strong opening to the campaign, but with competition for places rife now, there's bound to be a few disgruntled players left out on a regular occurrence.

Per a report from Chris Wise, Tottenham recalled Yang from Portsmouth as they weren't happy with the amount of game time he was given at Fratton Park, and Coventry have promised more minutes.

However, that's a promise that not many feel will be kept between now and May, due to the already established talent in Frank Lampard's fold.

Yang Min-hyeok may struggle for more minutes at Coventry City than at Portsmouth

Yang's loan move at Portsmouth was cut short by Tottenham due to a lack of game time. While at Fratton Park, the South Korean international started nine games, came off the bench six times and was an unused substitute eight times.

Understandably, that's not enough time for a 19-year-old to progress, and with three goals and an assist in that time in a Pompey frontline that has been firing blanks for the majority of the season so far, it's clear that John Mousinho didn't view Yang as a legitimate starter.

Therefore, on the basis of things, a recall and a move to another bottom-end Championship or even top-end League One side would have been wise this January to ensure that the wideman got enough game time to satisfy Tottenham.

However, a move to the side atop the second tier, with 27 more points and 36 more goals than Portsmouth, is very much not a sidestep or a step-down move, instead a step-up. That's why it's rather strange that Coventry have reportedly promised Tottenham that Yang will be afforded more game time.

To put it simply, Coventry have better attacking options out wide than Portsmouth do, and if Spurs weren't happy with how many minutes the 19-year-old was getting at Fratton Park, it's hard to imagine that they'll be best pleased with his involvement at the CBS Arena.

Already at Frank Lampard's disposal are Ephron Mason-Clark and Tatushiro Sakamoto, with Brandon Thomas-Asante, who is set to return from a hamstring injury soon, also capable of playing out wide.

To add to that, Palace wideman Romain Esse is also reportedly set to join those ranks on a loan move.

The last time Championship fans saw the 20-year-old, he was the main focal point of the Millwall attack in the opening half of last season, which would imply that he has a large role to play in the second half of the current campaign, too.

Frank Lampard should do everything to help Coventry City achieve promotion, regardless of Tottenham Hotspur promise

Coventry have prided themselves on a terrifying frontline so far this season, and the focus this January would have been to add to it with equal amounts of quality to maintain that impressive scoring rate they built between August and now.

When the window slams shut, the Sky Blues will be in a straight race to the finish line in the promotion battle, and Frank Lampard will be picking his best side week in, week out.

Granted, Yang has been a bit-part player in both his loan spells at QPR last season and Portsmouth this term, so it's unfair to immediately suggest that he should be behind the likes of Sakamoto, Mason-Clark and potentially Esse in the pecking order, as he arguably hasn't had much of an opportunity to make a lasting impact thus far in the Championship.

However, regardless of his impact, the likes of Sakamoto and Mason-Clark, especially, are more deserving of those minutes right now, given their contributions so far this campaign.

Coventry's promise to give Yang more minutes than Portsmouth did in the second half of the season almost puts the 19-year-old on a pedestal compared to the other options — that the Sky Blues simply have to play him to satisfy the Premier League side.

Ultimately, though, Frank Lampard should and will do what's best to help his side secure promotion.

If the added competition means that Mason-Clark and Sakamoto up their already impressive standards and become undroppable, then Tottenham may find themselves frustrated at yet another middling loan spell for their exciting 19-year-old wideman.

It's fair to say that there is a strong argument that Tottenham Hotspur didn’t merely sign Gareth Bale from Southampton in 2007, but that they quietly removed tens of millions from the south coast that the Saints would never see again.

The Welshman's story begins at Southampton, where his rise was rapid, eye-catching, and unmistakably special already. Breaking into the first-team at just 16, Bale looked nothing like a typical academy graduate. That said, it was not abundantly clear exactly what he would become.

In terms of his profile, he was already fearless, and athletically ahead of his years, with a fantastic engine. He also possessed a left foot that already hinted at something extraordinary. That came from his early reputation as a dead-ball specialist — scoring stunning free-kicks against the likes of Derby County and West Bromwich Albion.

That quickly marked him out as one of the most exciting young defenders in the Football League, with Bale initially operating as an attacking left-back. Many others may well develop from being a flying winger into a full-back later in their career, but Bale went the opposite route.

Gareth Bale's transfer from Southampton to Tottenham Hotspur

Southampton, to their credit, developed him brilliantly. Bale wasn’t just a talented youth; he was trusted and given responsibility for both club and country. He played regularly, improved technically, and showed signs of maturity beyond his age. By the time Spurs came calling, Bale had already become one of the brightest teenage prospects outside the Premier League’s elite.

And yet, Tottenham secured Bale for an initial fee of around £5 million, which could eventually rise to £10 million with add-ons. He wasn't the first nor the last high-profile export from St. Mary's, but he went on to become the most famous of the lot.

At the time, that figure seemed reasonable. Bale was young, raw, and still technically a left-back. But history has a habit of reframing transfer fees — and few deals look as one-sided in hindsight. Six years later, Tottenham sold Bale to Real Madrid for approximately £86 million, which was a then world-record fee.

The scale of that profit is staggering. Spurs turned Southampton's academy gem into a global superstar and pocketed the difference.

The key to Bale’s explosion at Spurs was his transformation physically and technically. Initially used as that explosive left-back, he gradually pushed higher up the pitch, where his attributes truly flourished.

His pace and power became devastating, his ball-carrying unstoppable — as seen against Inter Milan's Maicon on that famous night at San Siro — and his shooting also became more ruthlessly efficient. Bale evolved into an explosive and athletic left winger — and eventually something closer to an all-round inside forward — who combined elite athleticism with increasingly refined technique.

Tottenham deserve credit for facilitating that evolution. Under Harry Redknapp, Bale was increasingly liberated from defensive responsibility and encouraged to attack space. His physical development was spectacular; he became stronger, faster, and more resilient, capable of overpowering full-backs and regularly scoring from range with ease.

Southampton's Gareth Bale regret at Spurs transfer deal

The Saints did not benefit from Bale’s superstardom. They did not receive a sell-on windfall that matched his value, nor did they enjoy his peak years in red and white. Instead, they watched from afar as a player they had nurtured became one of the best and most famous footballers on the planet — while another club banked the reward.

In an alternative reality, Southampton might have built a team around Bale and his devastating and powerful left boot, retained him longer, or at least structured a deal that reflected his ceiling. He could have been a franchise player, a talisman during their rise, or a financial cornerstone upon eventual sale. Instead, they got neither longevity nor legacy.

Of course, Southampton fans and club alike can — and should — feel proud. Bale’s journey began with them. His foundation was built at St Mary’s. But pride does not replace what was lost from their pockets.

Tottenham didn’t just sign Bale, they took his future value and benefited from a world-record sale. And Southampton, for all their excellent development work, were left watching millions disappear from their pockets. Sometimes, it benefits to hold out for more or a better deal. That is where they will have some regrets regarding Gareth Bale.

Tottenham Hotspur have recalled Damola Ajayi from his loan at Doncaster Rovers, with two London-based EFL clubs now expressing interest in taking the winger on for the remainder of the season.

The Sun has revealed that League Two leaders Bromley are keen to bolster their promotion push with the addition of Ajayi, while AFC Wimbledon, currently competing in League One, are also monitoring the situation and considering a loan approach.

Doncaster sit 23rd in the third tier of English football after 24 matches, with only six wins and the division’s second-worst defensive record, and are now reshaping their squad in an attempt to halt a damaging run of form.

That context has prompted Spurs to intervene, seeking a new environment that better serves Ajayi’s development.

Bromley FC and AFC Wimbledon set to battle for Damola Ajayi loan

Ajayi arrived at Doncaster hoping to gain experience in men’s football, but opportunities proved scarce.

He made 19 appearances across all competitions, starting just once in League One, as Rovers slid into the relegation places.

Now, Spurs look set to redeploy the young winger in the EFL, with Bromley and AFC Wimbledon vying for his signature.

Bromley’s interest is rooted in ambition rather than necessity. Andy Woodman’s side lead League Two after 24 games, boasting 48 points, a five-match winning streak and the only unbeaten home record in the division.

Having reached the Football League for the first time in 2024, Bromley have continued to defy expectations and are now firmly positioned as promotion contenders.

AFC Wimbledon’s situation is more complex. The Dons sit 12th in League One, having recently ended a prolonged winless run with a victory at Leyton Orient.

On the pitch, Johnnie Jackson’s side remain competitive, but off it they are operating under tight financial constraints, with one of the smallest playing budgets in the division. Loans remain a vital mechanism for adding quality without overstretching resources.

Ajayi’s pedigree is not in doubt. He scored on his senior debut for Tottenham in the Europa League last season and has been widely regarded as one of the club’s brighter academy prospects.

The challenge now is finding the right competitive level to turn flashes of promise into sustained contribution.

Damola Ajayi’s potential sentimental return to Bromley FC - or chance to continue League One development with AFC Wimbledon

Ajayi’s next move will reflect broader truths about the EFL. Doncaster’s struggles illustrate how quickly a young loanee can be swallowed by a relegation battle, while Bromley’s rise shows how momentum and clarity can create space for developing players to flourish.

For Bromley, the appeal is obvious. Leading the table in a division that has seen former League One sides fall away, they represent one of the season’s most compelling stories.

A player like Ajayi could add depth and flexibility rather than pressure, particularly in an environment riding confidence rather than fear.

A move to Bromley would also offer a compelling narrative. The winger began his youth career with the south London club before joining Tottenham’s academy in 2022, and a return could see him play a meaningful - and sentimental - role in a side pushing for promotion from League Two.

Wimbledon’s interest speaks to a different reality - their League One status remains fragile.

Tottenham Hotspur youngster Jamie Donley is set to join Oxford United on loan for the remainder of the season, Football League World understands.

The 20-year-old will spend the rest of the season with the Championship outfit as Spurs look to give one of their highly-rated academy prospects regular senior football.

The final details of the loan agreement are being ironed out but the move looks all set to be confirmed within the coming days.

Spurs confirmed Jamie Donley's recall from Stoke City on New Years Day and he's now set to leave immediately and link up with managerless Oxford United as they look to secure survival in the second tier this term.

Stoke City struggle for Jamie Donley

The versatile midfielder struggled to get going at the Bet365 Stadium this season with Stoke boss Mark Robins rarely utilising the ex-Leyton Orient loanee much in the first-team.

Donley played just 77 minutes of Championship football for the Potters, failing to start a single game - whilst he did make two appearances in the League Cup.

Spurs already have a good relationship with the U's as striker Will Lankshear is currently on loan at Oxford United whilst Dane Scarlett previously spent time at the Oxfordshire outfit.

Oxford United need goals - Jamie Donley could help

Donley will bring creativity, energy and versatility to an attack that has at times lacked a cutting edge this season as the U's languish in the relegation zone in the Championship table.

Just 25 goals have been scored by Oxford United so far this season, so Donley will be expected to make an impact on that front to give the club the best chance of escaping the perilous position they occupy.

Oxford will hope Donley can emulate the sort of form he showcased last season in League One with Leyton Orient.

The dynamic midfielder recorded eight goals and 10 assists for Orient last term in what was a breakthrough campaign for the Spurs youngster in first-team mens football.

Oxford travel to Chris Wilder's Sheffield United on Sunday in their next Championship match in what will be a tough clash given the Blades' recent resurgence up the table.

The January transfer window is just around the corner and Bolton Wanderers are limping towards it, still in the hunt for automatic promotion in League One but perhaps in need of some fresh energy to boost their top two credentials.

Following a surprise 1-0 defeat at home to Mansfield Town to round off the calendar year, the Trotters have now managed just three victories in their last seven League One games – a run of form that has dealt a major blow just at the wrong time.

Steven Schumacher was granted an overhaul of the squad in the summer with 14 new additions and plenty of first-team departures but the shake up and re-imagining of the personnel may not yet be complete for the former Plymouth Argyle boss.

As the Whites head into what is only his second full transfer window in charge, they have already been linked with a move for Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder Jamie Donley, who is out on loan at Stoke City.

Donley, who excelled while on loan at Leyton Orient last season, has struggled for game time and for consistency and form with the Potters, and so if Spurs do indeed recall him, Bolton are reportedly positioning themselves to the front of the queue.

That, though, will have to coincide with the de-registering of a first-team player, with Bolton having named a full squad of 22, or the cancellation of a loan deal themselves.

Bolton already have five players in on temporary deals and a match day squad can only boast six, so if Wanderers were to bring in Donley then they would be prevented form any further loan moves in January which, at this stage, seems very unlikely.

As a result, that means one of them may have to return and FLW has looked at the three likeliest candidates for whom the potential arrival of Donley could lead to their departure from Bolton.

This one would hurt Bolton supporters as Amario Cozier-Duberry has been a stunning addition since joining on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer.

After an underwhelming stint while at Blackburn Rovers last season, the former Arsenal youngster has been one of the very best and most effective players in League One this season with six goals and seven assists.

However, his form has certainly dipped since a brace of goals and a brace of assists in a 4-0 drumming of Port Vale in mid-November, with only one assist since, coming in second-half stoppage-time to set up Josh Sheehan’s late winner against Rotherham United on Boxing Day.

There has been a predictability to the way in which he has played, with questions of fatigue, too, leading to him even being left out of the eleven against Mansfield earlier this month.

However, Cozier-Duberry remains one of the very best players in the division and is expected to come good but the former England youth international has previously been linked with a move away, with Sheffield United among other Championship clubs that are said to be interested in poaching him for a higher level in the winter window.

Whether or not the links have hampered his concentration and form is not known, but the timing is at least coincidental and Wanderers fans will have to be holding their breath for the next month.

After a couple of improved displays against Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup and then in that defeat of Port Vale, Ibrahim Cissoko declared himself the type of player that supporters want to see.

Since then, he put in a stellar performance against Bradford City in the EFL Trophy before losing form and returning to the type of wasteful and frustrating player he had been for the vast majority of the campaign.

His cameo when chasing the game against Mansfield at home, in that 1-0 loss, left Bolton fans audibly annoyed by his performance, with a seeming lack of understanding of the situation and far too little end product, or even quality, for what was needed and what he was trying to do.

It has been reported that Bolton would have to pay Toulouse £1.2 million to sign the Dutchman on a permanent deal but that would seem incredibly foolish at this stage, despite Cissoko stating he wants to remain at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

One man who has also underwhelmed since joining on loan in the summer is Finland international attacker Marcus Forss, who arrived from Middlesbrough on the summer’s deadline day.

Forss, formerly of Brentford, has previously proven himself to be a more than capable scorer in the second-tier, let alone in League One, and he has shown real moments of quality.

However, those moments have been too few and supporters have grown frustrated again with Forss’ lack of output, albeit seemingly stemming from a lack of confidence, in contrast to the way in which Cissoko goes about his business, who appears to suffer from over confidence.

A superb brace against local rivals Wigan Athletic in his first start for the club in mid-September has been followed by just three more goals, all coming in the EFL Trophy.

He hasn’t be helped by being shifted around the pitch, playing out-wide, up-front and in the ‘number ten’ position, with none of them being nailed down for longer than a couple of successive starts.

Forss is a player that, with his pedigree, many believe will come good but the similarities in profile to Donley may well see him further squeezed out of the first-team picture in Lancashire.

Bolton Wanderers are interested in providing Jamie Donley with an immediate escape route out of Stoke City upon the start of the January transfer window, after his loan move from Spurs to the Potteries has fallen well flat.

According to Alan Nixon, Bolton Wanderers have expressed an interest in signing Tottenham Hotspur's Northern Irish international Jamie Donley on loan this January.

Donley was excellent for Leyton Orient last season in League One, scoring eight goals and grabbing ten assists in 39 league appearances as the O's made it all the way to the play-off final, only to be defeated by Charlton Athletic.

Having impressed in what was his first season of regular senior football, Donley attracted the interest of numerous clubs in League One and the Championship, but it would be Stoke City who would land his signature.

The attacking-midfielder joined the likes of Divin Mubama and Spurs teammate Ashley Phillips to make the move to the Potteries this summer, but as the January window approaches, it looks all but certain that the Northern Irishman will be recalled.

Donley has made just four league appearances, starting none under manager Mark Robins this season, and is now in the crosshairs of Steven Schumacher's Bolton, who are looking to strike a deal with Spurs this winter.

However, the Trotters will no doubt be faced with competition for his signature, and these three clubs should also consider moves for the Northern Irishman this January to bolster their attacking options.

Blackburn Rovers, whilst possessing the third-best defensive record in the league, also have the joint third-worst attack in the league, alongside Charlton.

Led by former Watford, West Brom, and Barnsley boss Valerien Ismael, the Lancashire-based outfit have largely dwindled in the bottom half of the Championship table for much of the season thus far.

Andri Gudjohnsen, Yuki Ohashi, and Todd Cantwell are the trio that have been heavily relied upon in the final third this campaign, though both Gudjohnsen and Cantwell have spent time out of action at various stages of the season.

With only two loan spots taken up, which will be three should their move for Stoke's Ben Gibson go through, Blackburn should also be eyeing a move for another Potters player in Donley.

The Spurs loanee is in desperate need of more game time, which he may well come across if he were to move to Ewood Park this January, whilst also offering him the opportunity to remain in the second tier as opposed to dropping back down to League One.

Like Blackburn, Charlton's main struggles this campaign have come in front of goal, with the Addicks having netted just 22 goals after 24 games, the same record as the aforementioned Rovers.

Nathan Jones has done an excellent job in guiding the club from the depths of League One to a competitive Championship side in no time, yet January would appear to be a crucial window for the Welshman to add a bit of attacking magic to his roster.

Having signed Charlie Kelman from Queens Park Rangers this summer, who spent the previous season thriving for Leyton Orient in League One, a move for Donley could prove to be a shrewd move.

Kelman has scored just twice in 16 Championship games for Charlton thus far, and linking up with his former teammate at Orient may be a match made in heaven, as Jones would likely get the best out of both players.

With only James Bree taking up a loan spot on the Addicks roster, there is certainly room for manoeuvre in the market for Charlton this January, especially when it comes to loan deals, and they would be wise to try their luck in a move for Donley.

Before joining Stoke, Donley was heavily linked with a move to fellow Midlands side West Brom.

Given head coach Ryan Mason's Spurs connection, it came as a bit of a surprise to see him move to Stoke instead of West Brom, something which all parties at this stage likely regret.

Mason has come under scrutiny in his role at numerous stages this season, but he has thus far done enough to keep his post in The Hawthorns dugout, and ahead of the January window, he will no doubt be dipping into the market in an attempt to solidify his position.

With Tammer Bany facing up to four months on the sidelines after sustaining a thigh injury in training, Jed Wallace out until mid-January, and Toby Collyer having already been recalled to Manchester United, Mason will be looking to make some additions to the Baggies' midfield and attacking options this winter.

A move for Donley would represent a cheap alternative, and although he remains unproven at this level, Mason will know the Northern Irishman from their time together at Spurs, and if anyone knows how to get the best out of him, then it's Mason.

Tottenham Hotspur look set to make an early January call on the future of one of their most highly-rated young attackers, with Jamie Donley’s stalled loan spell at Stoke City nearing its conclusion - and that will pique the interest of Bolton Wanderers.

After a standout League One campaign last season, the 20-year-old’s lack of minutes in the Championship has prompted Spurs to re-assess his development pathway.

It’s a decision that could have significant knock-on effects for Bolton as they plan for the second half of the campaign, with Steven Schumacher keen on the young forward.

Donley was viewed as a ready-made step-up candidate after excelling on loan at Leyton Orient, but the move to Stoke has not delivered the intended progression.

With interest now emerging from promotion-chasing clubs further down the pyramid, Tottenham’s next move feels increasingly inevitable.

Stoke City loan spell forces Spurs’ hand with Jamie Donley recall

According to a report from The Daily Mail, Tottenham are preparing to recall Jamie Donley - alongside Damola Ajayi - from their respective loan spells in a bid to secure more consistent game time.

Donley has not started a Championship match for Stoke City this season and has not featured at all since October, making just a handful of substitute appearances under Mark Robins.

The lack of opportunity represents a sharp contrast to last season, when Donley thrived with Leyton Orient.

His eight goals and double-digit assists in League One marked him out as one of the division’s most effective creative players, while his stunning long-range strike against Manchester City in the FA Cup brought wider attention to his technical quality and confidence on the big stage.

That form suggested a player ready to test himself at a higher level, but things have not clicked in Staffordshire.

With Stoke still pushing for the play-offs, Robins has shown little appetite to rotate his attacking options, leaving Donley stuck on the fringes.

Spurs’ development staff are now keen to bring him back to North London and line up an alternative loan, creating space for Stoke to reshape their squad in January.

Bolton Wanderers monitoring Jamie Donley situation

That recall has placed Bolton Wanderers firmly on alert. As reported by Alan Nixon via his Patreon, Steven Schumacher’s side are lining up a loan move for Donley as they look to strengthen their promotion push from League One.

Bolton remain inside the play-off places on New Years’ Eve, but have lost ground in the automatic promotion race, sitting seven points adrift of second after recent setbacks.

January recruitment is viewed internally as crucial if that gap is to be bridged, and Donley’s profile fits a long-standing need within the squad.

Despite his difficult spell at Stoke, Bolton’s admiration for Donley dates back to his time at Orient, where his combination of creativity, ball-carrying and goal threat consistently unlocked defences.

Spurs are understood to be open to a return to League One if it guarantees regular minutes, recognising that Donley’s development has stalled without match exposure.

The appeal is obvious. The attacking midfield role has been a problem area, with inconsistency and a lack of end product undermining their push for the top two.

Donley would offer an immediate upgrade in terms of chance creation and unpredictability, while also easing the creative burden currently carried by the Trotters’ wide players.

Crucially, his struggles at Stoke should not be overinterpreted. Four league appearances amounting to just over an hour of Championship football is hardly a fair audition, particularly for a young player adapting to a new environment.

Back at League One level - and in a Steven Schumacher side built around attacking intent - Donley could quickly re-establish the form that made him one of the division’s standout performers last season.

Crystal Palace are eyeing a deal for an Ipswich Town transfer target, with the player set to decide on his future in the coming days ahead of the opening of the transfer window.

In terms of wide forwards, Jack Clarke, Jaden Philogene, and Sindre Walle Egeli were all signed in the last couple of seasons in big-money transfers. Alongside Omari Hutchinson, they are four of the six most expensive signings in the club's history.

Kasey McAteer is also on the books and was not a cheap arrival, while Wes Burns has recovered from a long-term injury recently. He scored for Ipswich in their win over Coventry City on Monday night.

However, Kieran McKenna rotates the players in these positions with a degree of regularity. The same was true in their previous campaigns outside of the Premier League. It means depth and options are required to meet the demands and keep competition for places high.

Brennan Johnson set for Crystal Palace talks after Spurs agree fee for Ipswich target

Per Fabrizio Romano, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth both approached Spurs to ask for the conditions of a deal for Brennan Johnson. He reports that Johnson could leave Tottenham in the January transfer window.

To the surprise of many, Ipswich have been linked with Johnson. It appears McKenna is an admirer of the forward, albeit the interest may only be firmed up if they are promoted to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Johnson scored the winner for Spurs against Man United in the UEFA Europa League final back in May, with a switch to the second tier unlikely and promotion likely to be the only way of securing him.

While that interest may remain in Spurs' out-of-favour winger, others in the top flight have the opportunity to secure his services in January instead. It's reported by Sky Sports' Michael Bridge that a £35 million move has been agreed with Crystal Palace.

It's been stated by David Ornstein that he is yet to accept the move and that there are also more suitors in the mix for the Welshman, albeit there is no mention of Ipswich in the latest reports.

How likely Brennan Johnson is to join Ipswich Town

Should Johnson decide to remain with Spurs until the summer, he may have more options available to him in terms of other clubs. That could include Ipswich, and there is no guarantee that he will accept Palace's current offer.

BBC Sport's Sami Mokbel has explained Johnson is now to hold talks over his future in next 48 hours after Palace agreed a fee to sign the Tottenham attacker. Ipswich may have some hope in the longer-term, but that is only if Johnson bide his time until May and beyond.

For now, they are one of the teams with the most quality out wide in the second tier. It should be enough for the remainder of the season and other priorities ought to be addressed in the winter market.

Bolton Wanderers will be bidding to capitalise on the upcoming January transfer window in order to strengthen their bid for promotion out of League One and back to the Championship, and are accordingly lining up a loan move for Tottenham Hotspur ace Jamie Donley.

As reported by Alan Nixon of The Sun — via his exclusive Patreon service — Steven Schumacher's side have registered an interest in Donley, who is poised to return to North London from a disappointing loan stint at Stoke City during the first-half of the campaign in the coming days.

Bolton are currently eyeing a return to the Championship under Schumacher, but their hopes of achieving automatic promotion have sustained something of a hit in recent weeks.

The Trotters remain positioned inside the play-offs despite Monday evening's shock 1-0 home defeat to Mansfield Town, although they are now separated from second-placed Lincoln City by a margin of seven points and will know that they need to get it right in January to stand a chance of bridging that gap and heading back to the second-tier automatically come May.

Bolton Wanderers eyeing Spurs, Jamie Donley loan swoop amid Stoke City disappointment

That has prompted Schumacher to explore options heading into the January transfer window, and Nixon's aforementioned update has revealed that Bolton are eager to acquire Donley's services on loan for the remainder of the League One campaign.

It's said that Donley's loan at Stoke is set to end imminently, with the attacking midfielder having featured on just six occasions under Mark Robins in the Potteries, and such an outcome would open the door for a temporary switch elsewhere to be sealed in January.

In spite of Donley's underwhelming spell in Staffordshire, Bolton reportedly "admire" Donley dating back to his electric spell with Leyton Orient in the previous campaign, which saw him light up League One with a return of eight goals and 10 assists to send Richie Wellens' side all the way to the play-off final.

It was no surprise to see Donley earn significant Championship interest thereafter, but it hasn't worked out at Stoke and Nixon's report adds that Spurs could be content to return the playmaker to League One following last term's exploits.

Spurs' Jamie Donley would be an excellent signing for Bolton Wanderers

It's important not to read too much into Donley's time with Stoke, where he has seldom been afforded the opportunities to impress and translate the level of performance shown at third-tier level into the Championship.

There is, of course, the consideration that Robins will have seen Donley every day in training and is therefore well-informed to make such decisions, but you have to feel for the 21-year-old after playing just 77 minutes of Championship football across four league appearances for the play-off hopefuls.

Regular minutes would be more forthcoming at Bolton, who have become overly reliant on the mercurial creative flair of Brighton loan sensation Amario Cozier-Duberry this term and would benefit from easing the burden on the winger moving forwards.

Indeed, Bolton have a particular problem in the attacking midfield slot, where Joel Randall has continued to frustrate supporters this term, and Donley could walk into Schumacher's side and offer an instant game-changing presence.

The Northern Ireland international would bring an added threat of both creativity and goalscoring, and his craft in the final third could prove to be the missing piece in the puzzle for Schumacher as he looks to launch a late assault on the automatic promotion places.