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.