Steve Evans could look to sign another Tottenham Hotspur youngster on loan following Yusuf Akhamrich's impressive stint in the second half of last season
Yusuf Akhamrich was a key part of Bristol Rovers' resurgence in the second half of the season under Steve Evans, with the Tottenham Hotspur loanee scoring six goals and registering two assists in 19 appearances.
The 20-year-old wasn't a completely unknown entity when he arrived in mid-January, given that he scored in the 4-4 draw between the Gas and Spurs' Under-21s in the Vertu Trophy in August 2025.
Akhamrich then became a fan favourite in BS7, with five of his six goals coming at The Mem. While Evans has previously hinted "he could be back" when discussing whether the Moroccan winger could return to North Bristol next season, it is probably more likely that he will play higher up in the English pyramid, given how impressive his performances were.
So, if Rovers are unable to get Akhamrich on loan for a full season, are there any other Spurs youngsters that Evans could look to sign?
The manager revealed in February: "Yusuf has got staggering ability, but there's a number of youngsters at Tottenham. I could have brought three on Deadline Day.
"I wish they'd let me do it, but they said one is enough, and the nice thing is like Spurs do. I’ve never had a loanee from Spurs."
Following Rovers' 3-0 win against Newport County on January 31, which saw Akhamrich score a brace, Evans revealed that he tried to sign the winger when he was at Rotherham United in League One in the 2024/25 season. He was told that the youngster wasn't ready for senior football yet, but was granted his wish to work with Akhamrich in the January transfer window.
He turned 20 in September, and Rovers was his first loan move, which is worth bearing in mind when considering other Spurs youngsters that the club could sign in the next few months.
With that said, here are three Spurs youngsters Rovers could look to bring in this summer when the transfer window opens next week...
Reiss-Alexander Russell-Denny - Central midfielder, 20
The first player under consideration is Reiss-Alexander Russell-Denny. Like Akhamrich, he is 20, but hasn't played senior football yet.
He had a taste of playing against EFL teams last season, featuring in all three of Spurs' Vertu Trophy games against Rovers, Plymouth Argyle, and Cheltenham Town, which included two assists against the former in the 4-4 draw.
Russell-Denny spent his early career at Chelsea, winning the Under-18 Premier League Cup in 2021/22 before featuring regularly for the Blues in Premier League 2.
In February 2025, the 20-year-old made the switch to Spurs, and in 31 appearances in all competitions so far, he has scored six goals and registered nine assists.
He is predominantly a central midfielder, and given that Rovers only have Richie Smallwood, Clinton Mola, Ryan De Havilland, and Ryan Howley as the main options for the two deeper roles in the middle of the park right now, Russell-Denny could bolster the Gas in this area of the pitch ahead of a busy campaign.
He is a versatile player who can play as a number six, eight, or ten, and could be a smart addition for Evans.
Rio Kyerematen - Central Midfielder, 21
Rio Kyerematen is a box-to-box midfielder who has played for Spurs since he was eight. He turned 21 today, and the 2026/27 season could be the year that he makes the step into senior football.
We know that Tottenham want their youngsters to be ready for loan moves, as highlighted by Akhamrich not going to Rotherham in the 2024/25 campaign, despite Evans requesting to sign the winger.
Kyerematen has played over 70 times for Tottenham's Under-21s, including 23 in all competitions last season. He didn't feature against the Gas, but started the two other group stage matches in the Vertu Trophy, scoring away at Cheltenham in the final game.
As already mentioned, central midfield is an area where Rovers need more depth, especially with Tommy Leigh and Kane Thompson-Sommers' loans coming to an end, and Josh McEachran, Kamil Conteh, and Isaac Hutchinson being transfer-listed in May.
Kyerematen scored seven goals and registered five assists in Premier League 2 last season and was shortlisted for the competition's Player of the Month award twice across the campaign.
He is ready to take the step up and, like Russell-Denny, would add depth to Rovers' squad in the centre of the pitch, as he can cover multiple positions.
Tynan Thompson - Winger, 18
Now, this is potentially ambitious, given that Tynan Thompson scored 13 goals across all competitions last season, including seven in seven matches in the UEFA Youth League. The right-footed left-winger is also only 18 and turns 19 in April, so is he considered ready for senior football yet?
This decision will ultimately lie with Thompson and Spurs, but Akhamrich, who plays in a similar position, could be an inspiration in terms of the benefits of a loan move.
The 18-year-old also has happy memories of playing at The Mem, scoring a brace in the 4-4 draw in August 2025.
With Tottenham avoiding relegation to the Championship and Roberto De Zerbi keen to stamp his authority on the squad, first-team opportunities might be limited for Thompson next season.
Of course, another campaign of experience in Premier League 2 is most likely, but if a loan spell at an EFL club is seen as the best course of action, Rovers could be one of a long list of clubs vying to sign him.