Tottenham have a large number of players out on loan across the global game but which of them could return from their adventures in January?
January marks the time when clubs evaluate their loan players to decide which ones will return, which will be sent on new loans and which of them need to continue their development and Tottenham are no different.
The north London club have got 13 players out plying their trade on loan at clubs across England, Scotland, Germany, Spain and even Argentina, with Spurs' Head of Loans and Pathways Andy Scoulding keeping a constant eye on them, either remotely or going to watch them in action.
The former Rangers man constantly keeps in touch with the players, their families and agents as well as the clubs they have been loaned to in order to keep track of their development, opportunities, behaviour and everything else a player needs to succeed.
Sometimes though, circumstances change at a club or back at the parent team, and players must return or move on in the January window with most loan moves - but not all - having a break clause in the agreement in the winter window.
Here's a look at all of Tottenham's loan players and whether we think they will stay, return or get a new loan.
Luka Vuskovic (Hamburg)
Luka Vuskovic is thoroughly enjoying himself at Hamburg, the club that have supported his brother Mario through his suspension until next year.
Barring a huge centre-back injury crisis at Tottenham it would appear to be detrimental to the 18-year-old's development to take him away from the Bundesliga, where he has become an ever-present at the back and often leads their defensive stats. The German club and the fans love him and it feels like the perfect education for Vuskovic at a higher level than he was playing in before.
The teenager admitted himself soon after moving that he could quickly tell after training with the likes of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven just how far below their level he was at this stage in his development. His potential is huge though and learning in the German league, with its similarities in pace and physicality, should help him bridge that gap and get involved with Tottenham's first team fully next season.
Last month, Hamburg sporting director Claus Costa said he was not worried about a January recall for Vuskovic.
"We had very constructive discussions with Tottenham; they’re a top-professional club, judging by the communication with loan manager Andy Scoulding. They’re closely monitoring the player, which shows how they assess Luka. Tottenham isn’t interested in weakening us or ruining the loan," he said.
"It’s understandable that they’re trying to protect themselves against possible worst-case scenarios. Otherwise, I don’t want to comment further. I believe Tottenham also knows how good the situation here is for Luka. That’s why I hope we never get into a situation where we have to think about anything else."
Verdict: Stay (barring an injury crisis)
Manor Solomon (Villarreal)
In contrast to Vuskovic's time in Germany, Manor Solomon's last-gasp loan to Villarreal on deadline day has not been a success so far as the 26-year-old has made just one La Liga start for the club.
The winger has been left unused on the bench for three of the past four matches in the league and missed out entirely on their most recent matchday squad for Saturday's 2-0 win at Espanyol due to a back problem. In the Champions League, he has been unused in three of the Spanish club's four games, albeit one of those against Juventus he missed as it fell on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur.
Solomon's back problem has kept him out of international duty with Israel this fortnight but he is expected to return to action soon.
The question is whether he gets any minutes on his return. This felt like a hastily put together loan after Crystal Palace pulled the plug on the winger's loan move there.
If the Spurs winger's situation does not improve then it would not be the biggest surprise if he returned from Spain to head out on loan elsewhere in January. Another spell at Leeds United, who need goals and creativity, would likely be popular all round.
Verdict: New loan if nothing changes
Mikey Moore (Rangers)
If we had done this a month ago then it might have been a different answer. Mikey Moore was having a tough time at Rangers, the fans were unhappy with him, the team, the club and everything really to do with the Russell Martin era.
However, out went Martin and in came Danny Rohl and in a roving role in the attack, the 18-year-old has started to win over the fans with his undoubted potential and some good performances, not least scoring his first goal at the weekend against Dundee.
On speculation that he was looking for a January return to north London, Moore said at the weekend: "I was never ready to go back. I always knew that at some point it would change and I’ve changed it for myself a little bit in the last few weeks, but I need to keep building and playing even better than I am.
"I’m picking up goals and assists, as I said in midweek that I need to, so I’m happy with the goal on Sunday. I’m feeling a lot more confident, I’m getting used to the league, used to my teammates and the manager’s helped me a lot as well, he’s come in and he’s gave me confidence and belief in myself which has been good from him, so I’m excited to keep going.
"There’s a lot of pressure on a young boy coming from the Premier League, but as long as I’m improving and I’m helping Rangers go win games and picking up goals and helping the team, that’s all that matters for now."
If everything remains on this upward trend then it would seem daft to take Moore away from a big experience with plenty of pressure that should help shape him for the future.
Verdict: Stay
Alejo Veliz (Rosario Central)
Alejo Veliz is loving life back at Rosario and the 22-year-old has netted five goals and recorded one assist in his 15 matches back at his old club.
After a couple of unsuccessful loan spells in Spain, the Argentine has had exactly the move he needed even if it meant stepping back to where his senior career began.
The league season in Argentina ends next month but Spurs announced Veliz's loan as being for the entire 2025/26 campaign and it would take a huge effort for anyone to prise the youngster away again from the club he loves.
Much depends on whether Tottenham receive any interest in the striker that benefits them financially during the transfer window. Even with their own current striker problems, it's unlikely that Veliz will play again for Spurs at this point, barring a miraculous change in fortunes.
Verdict: Stay (barring a January transfer bid)
Ashley Phillips & Jamie Donley (Stoke City)
There's two different answers here for the two young players Tottenham sent to Stoke. Centre-back Ashley Phillips was out in the cold but has now started the past eight matches in the league for the Potters, playing every single minute of them.
However, the same cannot be said for Jamie Donley as the 20-year-old has barely featured for the Potters. He has not started a single game in the Championship and has only come off the bench twice in the past 13 matches in the league.
Donley is not believed to be pushing for a new move, but has not been included in the past three matchday squads under Stoke boss Mark Robins and Tottenham will be wary of his development being stunted, with just 77 Championship minutes to his name across four matches after such a successful season at Leyton Orient following some initial teething problems.
Spurs are lacking in playmakers but Thomas Frank never really seemed to take to Donley in the summer so a return to the club might not be on the cards yet.
Verdict: New loan for Donley while Phillips stays
Yang Min-hyeok (Portsmouth)
Yang Min-hyeok has had a positive loan at Portsmouth on the whole and even if the minutes have dropped slightly in the past couple of weeks, the young winger has had plenty of game time and scored a couple of terrific goals across his 10 appearances.
His displays have also earned him a place in South Korea's squad this month alongside former Spurs captain Son Heung-min.
As long as all parties are happy to continue, as with Moore up in Scotland, this time in the Championship feels like a good education for the 19-year-old.
Verdict: Stay
Will Lankshear (Oxford United)
Oxford might be facing a battle to remain in the Championship, but Will Lankshear is doing everything he can to keep them up.
The 20-year-old netted his fifth goal from 14 games at the weekend as they lost 2-1 at Ryan Mason's West Bromwich Albion.
The young striker is scoring goals, looks happy and unless anything changes, he's the man who appears most likely to help United stay up.
Spurs will assess Lankshear's situation next month but a relegation battle is usually a toughening up experience for young players - just ask Pape Matar Sarr from his final season at Metz - and unless there's a move to a higher level abroad where he will play week in, week out like this, Lankshear will likely stay.
There's a scenario where Dane Scarlett heads out on loan and Lankshear returns to be in and around the first team set-up, but that doesn't really help Lankshear in any way.
Verdict: Stay
Alfie Devine (Preston North End)
Alfie Devine is enjoying himself at Preston and the Championship club are very happy with the 21-year-old midfielder.
Devine has notched two goals and two assists from his 14 matches for North End so far this season and it seems very unlikely that they will part company in the January transfer window at this point barring a huge shift in circumstances in the next month and a half, particularly because Preston have an option to buy the midfielder, who also signed a new contract before departing.
Verdict: Stay
Alfie Dorrington (Aberdeen)
Alfie Dorrington is currently out with a groin injury which will keep him on the sidelines for a few more weeks at Aberdeen.
Before the injury, the 20-year-old centre-back had been getting minutes in defence, albeit without being able to nail down a consistent starting spot like he did last season at the Scottish club in the second half of the season.
This current injury came at an unfortunate time and Dorrington had just been reinstated to the Dons' Conference League squad after initially missing out, due to Kristers Tobers' injury.
He's still got 12 appearances to his name and 716 minutes of football so far this season at a club he won the Scottish FA Cup with last season, so it would seem unlikely that he would switch midway through the campaign unless something changes at the club.
Verdict: Stay
George Abbott (Wycombe Wanderers)
Another player out injured, George Abbott has a quad injury that interrupted a promising start to the campaign for the 20-year-old at Wycombe.
At a push, the midfielder could potentially be back just before Christmas if all goes well and it would seem to make more sense to continue his development at the League One club as he eases himself back into life in the Football League.
Verdict: Stay
Damola Ajayi (Doncaster Rovers)
Damola Ajayi has been getting experience on his first loan with 15 appearances and one goal with 585 minutes under the 19-year-old winger's belt at Doncaster Rovers, including that Carabao Cup match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The teenager is mostly being used off the bench so unless a drop down to League Two is an option, it makes sense to continue his development with a team he's getting good first team exposure at.
Verdict: Stay unless a League Two offer arrives
Tyrese Hall (Notts County)
Tyrese Hall has been dazzling for Notts County and scored again on Monday night in their 2-1 win at Cheltenham in League Two.
The 20-year-old has racked up six goals from midfield and one assist across 904 minutes in 15 appearances on his first senior loan. There's interest in Hall from clubs in League One and the Championship but the player and County are enjoying life together.
It would take something big with similarly regular football to give Spurs a decision to make in January if he continues on his current trajectory.