West Bromwich Albion have been credited with an interest in Leyton Orient loan star Jamie Donley.
The link was reported by Birmingham World, who revealed the Baggies have enquired about the 20-year-old’s availability this summer with his parent club, Tottenham Hotspur.
Donley has impressed at Orient this season, netting eight goals and 10 assists in 39 League One games.
We asked Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie whether Donley would be a good signing for West Brom.
Lee Hendrie urges West Brom to sign Spurs' Jamie Donley
Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Hendrie said: “West Bromwich Albion linked with Jamie Donley; I’ve actually been doing the games recently of Leyton Orient, and he’s had a remarkable season.
“Goals, creativity, young, he ticks every single box, and he has done this season. He's been one of the stand-out players in League One and for Leyton Orient.
“So, I mean, obviously, he's a Spurs player, he's on loan there and I think he'd be an absolutely brilliant signing for West Bromwich Albion.
“It’s a big football club. They need to start bedding in a few of these younger talented players.
“I'm not so sure whether it would be easy to get his signature, I’m not sure Spurs would allow that, I think that's why he's gone out on loan, but he's had a remarkable season, and it would be a great addition for West Brom.”
West Brom could face Leyton Orient competition for Spurs' Jamie Donley
Given the numbers that Donley has posted this season, he clearly seems ready to step up into the second tier, whether that be on another loan or permanently.
That makes West Brom an ideal location, but the O’s may still want in on the conversation.
They’re currently in the League One play-offs – thanks in no small part to Donley’s contributions – and could well be a Championship club themselves at the start of next season as a result.
Should they get promoted, much could rest on Spurs’ view of Donley.
If they want to sell now while he’s in demand, following his strong third-tier season, then West Brom look well-placed, as they will have funds to reach the midfielder’s valuation, which may not be true for Orient.
However, if Tottenham are keen to see how Donley progresses in the Championship and sell him once he’s gained that experience, or bring him into their own first-team setup, then a promoted Orient side would have strong appeal.
He’s clearly already settled at Brisbane Road and would be around many players that he already knows, so his chances of succeeding in that environment are much higher.
West Brom’s ambition would be a strong pull for Jamie Donley
Nevertheless, from the player’s point of view, West Brom will have a significant pull.
They finished just four points outside the play-off places this term and will be expected to go again next season, pushing for promotion. That certainly would not be the realistic goal of a promoted Orient.
Hendrie is right to point out that a big club like West Brom should be seeking out and bedding in talent youngsters and, as those sorts of transfers go, Donley seems a relatively low-risk bet, given his consistent performances this season only one league below.
Donley would be a strong acquisition for West Brom, but he may not be easy to capture.