Football League World

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.

It has emerged that Ipswich Town could be a potential destination for out-of-favour Tottenham Hotspur winger, Brennan Johnson.

Just months after the Welsh international wrote himself into folklore at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for his close-range winner against Premier League rivals, Manchester United, in the UEFA Europa League final in Bilbao, he could be set for a shock return to the Championship.

Ipswich were tipped, by many, to achieve an immediate promotion back to the top flight under Kieran McKenna before the second tier season commenced on August 8th, with many believing the Northern Irishman and his somewhat new-look side would eventually overpower all 23 of their divisional rivals en route to promotion or, in many cases, the Championship title.

At present, the Tractor Boys are residing in third, having accumulated a tally of 37 points from their first 22 league outings, with their most recent success being a dominant 3-1 victory against the division's bottom club, Sheffield Wednesday, at Portman Road.

A 10th victory of the season was also enough to see the Blues narrow the gap between themselves and the automatic promotion places to just five points with 24 games still to play, with Middlesbrough succumbing to a 2-0 defeat at Bristol City.

Given the benefit of parachute payments, Town were able to attract a raft of experienced and high-quality players in the summer, including the Championship's all-time record incoming, Sindre Walle Egeli.

As such, adding Johnson to what is an already mouth-watering attack by Championship standards would be a huge statement of intent from Ipswich.

With that in mind, Football League World have looked into the ESTIMATED wage figures which the 24-year-old is said to currently be collecting in North London, as Town prepare to rival some of Spurs' capital and top flight rivals for his services.

How much money Brennan Johnson earns at Tottenham Hotspur amid shock Ipswich Town loan talk

Johnson's immediate future under Thomas Frank has been a hot topic of discussion in recent weeks, with it being widely reported that whilst Tottenham are not actively looking to part ways with the 42-time Welsh international, a suitable offer could see their heads turned.

As such, it was claimed that current FA Cup holders, Crystal Palace, held an interest in the former Nottingham Forest man, before Football Insider reported on Sunday that both Ipswich and Brentford are plotting loan swoops for the man who cost the North London outfit a sizeable £47.5m fee on a six-year contract from the East Midlands side on Deadline Day back in the summer of 2023.

Since then, Johnson has amassed 106 appearances for Tottenham under the management of Ange Postecoglou and Frank, scoring 27 times and posting a further 18 assists during that timeframe.

It has, as a result, often been debated whether Spurs have received value for money on the aforementioned investment regardless of his iconic moment in the UEFA Europa League final.

Such debates will have only heightened once supporters see that, according to Capology - a site which ESTIMATES player earnings and specific contract details - Johnson is currently earning a base wage of £100,000 per week.

Despite not signing any fresh terms since his move in 2023, the site claims that Johnson's wages have increased £10,000 per week across his three seasons in North London thus far, initially earning £80,000 per week in 2023/24 and £90,000 per week in 2024/25.

Brennan Johnson would have the largest overall salary in 2025/26 EFL Championship if Ipswich Town pulled off shock loan

Unsurprisingly, matching such a salary would prove to be a hard task for any Championship side, only adding to the statement which Ipswich could pull off if they fended off Premier League competition.

It would also not be the greatest of surprises to learn that, whilst Town may not have to fork out for the entire value of his wage packet, Johnson would still have the largest salary of any player to feature in the second tier this season.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Brennan Johnson has emerged as a potential surprise January transfer target for Championship promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town.

According to Football Insider, the Tractor Boys are keen on signing the Tottenham Hotspur forward on loan when the market opens in the new year.

The Suffolk outfit face competition from Brentford in the race for the 24-year-old’s signature though, and a Premier League move may be too big for the Wales international to resist.

Johnson has fallen down the pecking order of the north London outfit under Thomas Frank, starting just six of their opening 17 fixtures, playing a total of 15 times in the top flight so far in 2025-26.

The versatile attacker signed for Spurs in the 2023 summer transfer window from Nottingham Forest in a deal worth £47.5 million, with Crystal Palace also now interested in potentially prying him away from the club.

Ipswich Town encouraged to complete Brennan Johnson deal

When asked about potentially signing Johnson in January, FLW’s Ipswich fan pundit Adam Wilkin claimed that he could be the exact kind of player that suits Kieran McKenna’s style of play on the right-wing, even if it’s unusual how far down the pecking order he’s fallen at Spurs.

He believes that as long as the forward can be convinced to join, then he could prove an excellent addition to the squad in their push for promotion.

“I think Brennan Johnson is a Premier League quality player, so if that came off then I would 100 per cent love that,” Wilkin told Football League World.

“I think he’d be a game-changing Championship forward in an area where we’ve struggled on the right-wing currently.

“I think his attributes fit exactly what Kieran McKenna would want in a right-wing system.

“I’m a little bit surprised that he’s not getting in at Tottenham because he’s historically done well for them and I think he would be looking for more of a Premier League [move] if possible.

“So I don’t know how feasible it is, but if he is happy to come down to the top level of the Championship.

“And what’s happened before with a lot of our loans recently, we’ve got loans with an option to buy, so if it was another loan with an option to buy if we got promoted I think that would be a very, very good move.”

Brennan Johnson would be an ambitious signing for Ipswich Town - perhaps too ambitious

Johnson has struggled for Spurs this season, but even so, it would be surprising if he took the step down to the Championship, even on a temporary basis.

The Welshman has clear top flight qualities, and whilst taking nothing away from Ipswich and where they want to be, both Crystal Palace and Brentford will both be more appealing options in January for the forward - especially as he is likely to get ample playing time at either club.

It would certainly be a sign of Ipswich’s ambition if they could get a deal over the line, and an option to buy that is triggered by promotion could have a certain appeal.

But the Championship side will firmly be behind in the race for his signature at this stage, if he leaves Spurs at all - Town clearly have some decent attacking options as it is, but with the likes of Kasey McAteer and Chuba Akpom underperforming at Portman Road, it could leave McKenna wanting more in the final third.

Ipswich Town are rivalling Premier League outfit Brentford for the signature of Tottenham Hotspur winger Brennan Johnson this January.

After an electric campaign for the reigning Europa League champions last term, Johnson has fallen out of favour under new boss Thomas Frank, which has left Spurs open to a sale this January.

Crystal Palace were the first team to register interest in the Welsh international, but have now been joined in the race for his services by Brentford and Ipswich, according to reports from Football Insider.

The Bees and the Tractor Boys are reportedly chasing a loan deal for Johnson, who scored 18 goals in 51 outings under former boss Ange Postecoglou, but has only managed four in 20 under Frank.

This is certainly an ambitious move for Kieran McKenna's side, as getting the 24-year-old to drop into the Championship would represent a serious coup at that level.

Ipswich Town to rival Brentford and Crystal Palace for Tottenham Hotspur's Brennan Johnson in January

Johnson was a shining star in Tottenham's rollercoaster campaign last term, scoring 11 league goals and a further five in the Europa League, helping the North London side win their first piece of silverware since 2008.

However, things haven't been as good for the Welshman following Postecoglou's departure and the appointment of Frank. So far, he's only started six Premier League games this season, scoring twice.

The arrival of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United in the summer has limited Johnson's playing time, which has led to Spurs opening the door for his exit in the January transfer window.

This has seen reports emerge that Crystal Palace were keen on signing the attacker in January, but will now be rivalled to his signature by Brentford and Championship outfit Ipswich, according to Football Insider.

Both the Bees and the Tractor Boys are reportedly chasing a simple loan deal for the 24-year-old, with Spurs weighing up their options when it comes to what they want to do with Johnson.

Any move for the former Nottingham Forest star would depend heavily on his desire to have increased playing time in the second half of the campaign, with his manager admitting he would like to keep him at the club.

Brennan Johnson would be a stunning coup for Ipswich Town

Ipswich have found form in recent weeks, following an inconsistent start to the season, and are locked into a promotion battle with the likes of Middlesbrough and Hull City, as they look for an immediate return to the Premier League.

Adding the man who scored the winning goal in the Europa League final to their squad for the second half of the campaign would likely leave their competitors with their jaws firmly on the floor, should they win the race for his services.

Given his stunning form for Spurs last term, you'd have thought that Johnson would tear it up in the second tier, and help McKenna's side secure promotion with goal contributions in abundance coming from the flanks.

However, it seems rather unlikely that Johnson would want to drop into the Championship if Premier League options are available, but even being in the running shows that the Suffolk-based side aren't messing around this January.

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has clarified Minhyeok Yang’s transfer agreement from Tottenham Hotspur after reports linked the young winger to Real Madrid.

The speculation surrounding Yang stems from Defensa Central's report that the LaLiga giants are eyeing the South Korean international as a potential target.

According to the Spanish outlet, Real are considering an offer in the region of €7m for Yang's services, and apparently view him as a promising talent with lots of potential.

But that shock reported interest has now seemingly been put to bed by the Pompey head coach.

John Mousinho clarifies Minhyeok Yang's Portsmouth FC situation amid Real Madrid transfer talk

Mousinho was clear in his assessment of Yang's position when speaking to The News, completely downplaying the Real Madrid link that had emerged from Spain.

The Portsmouth boss revealed that while he had become aware of the story, there has been zero contact from any of the parties involved regarding a potential move away from the south coast.

"I've heard the story (about Real Madrid), but there's nothing I have heard from Tottenham or Real Madrid," Mousinho explained to The News.

"I think Minhyeok will be here for the rest of the season. Spurs have a recall, as most of these loan contracts do. Spurs have a recall if they want to recall him," he added.

The manager's comments are definitely a statement of intent regarding Yang's development on the south coast - and Mousinho went on to praise the impact the youngster has made since arriving at Fratton Park.

"I think he's been a really bright spark in a lot of the performances we've had, particularly in the early part of the season," Mousinho continued.

"At times you have probably seen what you can sometimes expect from young players, but, as a 19-year-old coming into a struggling side, he has done very well. He will be staying until the end of the season."

Spurs will not be recalling Minhyeok Yang from Portsmouth FC loan

It’s worth considering that Mousinho also confirmed that Spurs retain a recall option in Yang's loan agreement, giving them the option to bring the player back to North London should they wish to do so.

But his insistence that the Korean will remain in Hampshire for the full season suggests this won’t be the case - regardless of whether the Real Madrid links are true or not.

For Tottenham, the loan deal was obviously a calculated decision to give Yang more experience in English football - after he played 14 times for Queens Park Rangers in 24/25.

The likes of Luka Vuskovic and Manor Soloman, two other Spurs players out on loan, have both been sent to Germany and Villarreal respectively - so there was every chance for Yang's second loan he could've followed suit.

Leicester City have been handed a potential transfer blow involving the future of Jeremy Monga, with Tottenham Hotspur amplifying their efforts to land the winger amid Brennan Johnson's impending exit from North London.

Monga put pen to paper on a scholarship contract in June ahead of his first professional deal next summer, which he was unable to sign owing to his age.

That saw Leicester fend off immediate interest from the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City, although the 16-year-old has continued to represent a hot property after remaining in the Foxes' first-team Championship squad this season.

Monga, who made seven Premier League appearances last time out as Leicester suffered relegation back to the second-tier and has featured on 13 occasions to date under Marti Cifuentes in 2025/26, is widely-regarded as one of the most promising young talents in the country, with the winger having opened his professional account during a 2-1 defeat at Preston North End back in August.

The England under-19 international has been in and out of Cifuentes' side at the King Power Stadium, but his services are continuing to be courted with real intent ahead of the January transfer window.

Spurs make 'big push' for Leicester City's Jeremy Monga amid likely Brennan Johnson exit

According to a recent report from TEAMtalk, Premier League giants Spurs have been making a 'big push' to land Monga's signature in recent weeks, with suitors such as Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Manchester United also showing significant interest.

Monga is reportedly aware of the interest and is poised to make a final decision in early 2026, although it would appear as though Spurs represent the most likely destination for the exciting wide-man if he decides to leave Leicester.

Further afield, Monga is also said to have interest from European heavyweights such as Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

Spurs' admiration of Monga comes amid Brennan Johnson's likely exit from Thomas Frank's side, with the Welsh international having been linked to Crystal Palace as of late.

The report adds that the reigning UEFA Europa League champions intend on sanctioning an initial loan departure for Johnson in an effort to boost the speedy attacker's valuation ahead of a probable permanent switch elsewhere once the summer window rolls around.

While it's not yet clear, it could transpire that Monga, despite his age, is viewed as a long-term replacement for Johnson at Spurs.

Cardiff City are braced to receive a flurry of transfer interest in much-sought-after teenage duo Ronan Kpakio and Dylan Lawlor, with the pair attracting attention from the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool and more after establishing themselves as key performers under Brian Barry-Murphy.

According to a report published by TEAMtalk on Tuesday evening, a number of leading Premier League outfits have joined the ever-intensifying hunt for Kpakio and Lawlor, leaving the Bluebirds to sweat over their immediate futures within the Welsh capital.

Both products of Cardiff's now-glowing youth academy system, the defensive duo were on the periphery last season as Cardiff suffered relegation to League One but have flourished as a result of Barry-Murphy's inclination to entrust, and indeed promote, young talent since taking the job over the summer.

Kpakio and Lawlor are gaining recognition outside of South Wales now, however, and with their reputation as two of the EFL's most promising prodigies only continuing to grow, so too is their list of respective admirers ahead of the upcoming January transfer window and beyond.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool eyeing double Cardiff City transfer raid for Ronan Kpakio, Dylan Lawlor

Recent reports have fuelled speculation surrounding the futures of Kpakio and Lawlor, with journalist Graeme Bailey claiming via X that Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are the latest clubs to join the transfer race for the exciting pair.

Bailey describes that the Bluebirds are now facing a "huge battle" to retain their services, which City supporters may well have anticipated would be the case sooner rather than later.

As per Bailey's actual report, more than half of the Premier League - including the traditional top-six - are regularly watching Kpakio and Lawlor.

It's said that Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United are all emerging as potential destinations for ball-playing central defender Lawlor, whose modern and mature style at a remarkably young age has left him hardly short of admirers.

The 19-year-old even has interest from overseas, with German trio Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig all reportedly monitoring his progression in League One, too.

Kpakio, who only celebrated his 18th birthday back in May, is also the subject of growing interest from elsewhere, with the dynamic full-back finding himself tracked by the majority of Premier League clubs in recent times.

Ronan Kpakio and Dylan Lawlor are vital - Cardiff City must resist top-flight transfer interest in January

Cardiff, the report adds, are "well aware" of mounting interest in the club's two prized assets, with the sanctioning of high-profile January exits firmly not on the agenda for the league leaders as they bid to return to English football's second-tier at the very first attempt.

It's worth noting that Cardiff have handed themselves security over the futures of Kpakio and Lawlor, too, with the latter having been set to see his contract expire next summer before the Bluebirds moved swiftly to tie him down to a new three-year deal.

Kpakio, meanwhile, put pen to paper on a fresh four-year contract, alongside fellow academy graduate Isaak Davies, back in September. Taking such contract action represented extremely shrewd business from the Bluebirds, who now have every right to hold out for significant sums when the phone rings for Kpakio and Lawlor.

For the meantime, Cardiff simply cannot afford to lose either in their pursuit of promotion.

Kpakio and Lawlor are, quite evidently, a few classes above League One - despite the occasional blip, which is only to be expected of two inexperienced campaigners in their first seasons of regular first-team football - and are establishing themselves as top-grade prospects for both club and country, having also entered Craig Bellamy's Wales squad together in recent months.

Kpakio has outmuscled experienced right-back Perry Ng to clamp down the spot as his own this term and has repaid Barry-Murphy's faith with a return of six assists, the joint-highest tally in League One alongside Bolton Wanderers' on-loan hotshot Amario Cozier-Duberry.

Electrifyingly quick with a menacing delivery and ever-sharpening defensive instincts at the other end, the attack-minded right-back has proved his worth as a vital cog in Cardiff's promotion push.

Lawlor, equally, is imperative to Barry-Murphy's possession-based brand of football, with his calm and assured ball-playing qualities as one of the Bluebirds' most integral assets.

Those qualities are now putting him on the radar of England and, indeed, European football's elite, and while it may only be a matter of time before Kpakio and Lawlor graduate onto bigger and better things elsewhere, such is their potential, the immediate focus will be on retaining their services for the season's full duration.