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Stoke City had a busy summer transfer window, with Mark Robins making the most of his first real chance to dig his claws into the squad.

Stoke City have seen new signings like Divin Mubama and Sorba Thomas play key roles early on, but Mark Robins has been lauded for the levels he has got out of those who were already on the books too.

It has been a fine campaign to date for SCFC, who sit up in 3rd. After years of struggle since their Premier League drop, the Potters look to finally have a side that can duke it out towards the top of the division.

Solid recruitment has been key in this, as said before, but not all summer signings have flourished as hoped.

One man who has found chances hard to come by with Stoke City is Jamie Donley. And, with January now on the horizon, it is hard to see a world in which parent club Tottenham Hotspur don’t take action.

Jamie Donley’s Stoke City loan so far

Northern Ireland international Donley joined Stoke City following a fantastic loan spell with last season’s League One play-off final runners-up Leyton Orient. He was crucial in their surge up the division, producing remarkable moments of individual brilliance and all-around impressive play.

It meant the jump up to the Champioship was one many expected him to thrive in. A debut assist in a 3-1 opening day win over Derby County went about setting the right tone early on too.

However, since then, Donley has played just 61 minutes of Championship football. The Spurs loanee has not made a single league start, making three substitute appearances and being left out of the matchday squad by Robins completely for the last three games.

His only starts have come in the EFL Cup. It means that winter action from Spurs feels inevitable as they look to help their top attacking prospect salvage something from this season.

Jamie Donley’s Stoke City stats

January action inevitable over Jamie Donley’s Stoke City loan

Spurs know they have a big talent on their hands in versatile attacker Donley. He starred in their academy and tasted some first-team football in London before a stunning stint with Leyton Orient.

Given Ashley Phillips’ success at Stoke City, you can see why they trusted the Potters with Donley too. Phillips starred at SCFC last season and has reclaimed his starting spot this time around, fending off some strong competition for a place in Robins’ side.

It took time for Donley to get going at Orient, but three straight matchday squad omissions means it feels the writing is on the wall for the 20-year-old.

Charlton Athletic’s recently departed academy manager Tom Pell is set to take up a role in Tottenham Hotspur’s youth academy, as per BBC Sport.

Charlton Athletic have enjoyed a strong return to the Championship following promotion from League One last season.

CAFC will hold the aim of consolidating a place in the second tier and building for a brighter future under Nathan Jones. The boss was backed well in the transfer window as a result, but survival rivals the main goal for the Addicks.

While some eye-catching signings were made, the development of academy players remains key to success at The Valley. The South London outfit boast one of the Football League’s most productive youth setups, and they will be out to preserve that.

Change awaits in the Charlton Athletic ranks though, with academy manager Tom Pell’s exit confirmed last week.

Now, as per a report from BBC Sport, the departing Pell is set for a notable move.

They state that 40-year-old Pell is set to join the youth setup at Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur. He will make the move across London in the coming months to take up a role as head of academy operations and administration, it is said.

Charlton Athletic goal remains the same after Tom Pell exit

Charlton Athletic will have to navigate this change of the academy setup carefully in a bid to maintain their successful production and development of young players.

Pell’s impending exit is not the first notable change the Addicks have had to deal with in recent years. In 2024, the long-serving Steve Avory stepped down as academy director, though he has remained onboard in an advisory role.

Avory remains in post and will aid the appointment of Pell’s replacement. When Pell’s departure becomes final, it will be intriguing to see whether CAFC make an internal appointment or if they recruit from outside the club, as they did in landing Pell.

Whoever comes in will be tasked with adding to the glut of academy reared players in the first-team squad at CAFC.

Charlton Athletic academy graduates in the first-team squad

Pell’s impending move from Charlton Athletic to Tottenham Hotspur shows that the progression path is there to be followed by coaches as well as players.

He started out at Cambridge United, working in their setup from 2006 all the way through to 2022. He served as a coach initially before stepping into the academy manager role.

The move to CAFC to hold the same role marked a step up, and his impressive work has earned another.

At Spurs, Pell will get the chance to work with some of the country’s best youth prospects. He’ll also be functioning in elite facilities with some other top footballing minds and coaches as colleagues.

Preston North End were amongst a clutch of sides battling against relegation last season. A summer rebuild was needed, and a part of that has seen Spurs youngster Alfie Devine snapped up by the Lilywhites as their 1oth signing.

Preston North End escaped the mires of last season’s relegation battle by just a single point. Devine has been given the No. 21 shirt and he debuted for PNE on Saturday, coming on off the bench against QPR for the final 15 minutes.

On signing, Devine told the club’s official website that he is looking forward to hitting the ground running. On this, he said:

“I like to make people excited. I like to get on the ball.”

The season-long contract bringing him to Deepdale includes an option for the Preston North End to purchase included in the deal.

After initially being on the books at Liverpool as a youth player, Devine moved on to Wigan Athletic and their youth set-up. Financial pressures saw the Latics cash in on him, Spurs snapping up the then 15-year-old to North London in late July 2020.

Devine has EFL experience from two separate half-season loan deals in 2023/24. The first, to League One side Port Vale saw him feature 26 times, scoring three goals and registering three assists. Next up was a half-season loan to Championship side Plymouth Argyle, for whom he featured 15 times, adding two assists.

Last season sat the now 20-year-old was on loan at Belgian side KVC Westerlo and playing in the Jupiler Pro League, Belgium’s top-tier competition. In 32 games on the continent, he scored six goals and added one assist.

Devine’s Westerlo returns give PNE fans insight

Alfie Devine stats 2024/25 for Westerlo via FotMob

Stat Total %age rank Goals 6 77.6 Expected goals (xG) 5.22 77.6 Shots 51 80.3 Shot on target 18 78.9 Accurate passes 691 84.2 Accurate long balls 53 88.2 Chances created 29 68.4 Touches 1,165 73.7 Touches – opposition box 86 80.3 Ball recoveries 110 81.6 Possession won – final 3rd 16 82.9

The above table gives an insight into Devine’s performance across his Jupiler Pro League campaign for Westerlo. It will be encouraging for PNE fans that he can manage the above in a top-tier, continental competition.

His six goals saw the on-loan youngster slightly outperform his xG (5.22) total. More encouraging is his ability to work into shooting positions (52), which translates to 2.17 shots per 90.

He is also a busy player, making 1,165 touches across the season, a number that relates to 49.55 touches per 90. Encouragingly, for PNE fans, 86 (3.66 per 90) were in the opposition box.

These numbers only indicate the potential that Devine has when it comes to what he is capable of producing over a typical season. Yes, the Spurs youngster has achieved this in a top-tier, continental league. However, the week-in, week-out cut and thrust of the Championship is a different thing altogether.

Devine performance vs QPR

As was likely expected of Devine, he played a substitute role in his first appearance for Preston North End. The Spurs youngster came off the bench on 75 minutes to play out the final throes in the 1-1 draw against QPR.

Whilst on the pitch, he didn’t make a huge impact as the game drifted towards a share of the points for both sides. Still, it is a tentative first step into Championship football for a young player.

As per WhoScored, Devine was tidy with his passing, completing six of seven passes, including one that was a key pass that created a chance for Preston North End. Four of these six completed passes were aimed at the final 3rd of the pitch.

This shows the youngster’s front-foot-forward mindset, inasmuch as he looks to play progressive football. PNE fans didn’t get to see much of him in Saturday’s game, there is enough there to suggest they will.

Dividends to be reaped with Devine intervention

Alfie Devine caught the eye as a 15-year-old at Wigan Athletic. Financial issues at the DW Stadium, now formally the Brick Community Stadium, meant that many of the club’s assets needed to be sold.

The upside for Preston North End fans is that there is evidence from last season’s stint with Westerlo that Devine can do a job for the Lilywhites. Starting carefully, as they have done with this substitute stint against QPR, is the best way forward for all involved.

Whilst the Belgian Jupiler Pro League is a top-tier competition in Europe, it isn’t one of the continent’s big Top five. Still, it is a very good league in preparation for the slog and effort of the Championship.

Alfie Devine has goals in him, is accurate with his passing and creates chances for others. Paul Heckingbottom will have done his homework, of that you can be assured.

There are huge upsides to the loan deal that has seen Spurs youngster Devine land at Deepdale for the season. PNE fans will see this move pay dividends as the youngster’s exposure to Championship football develops over the coming weeks.

Stoke City will be looking to climb the table following their disappointing 18th-place finish last term, their lowest since their return to the Championship in 2018/19. With Mark Robins at the helm, SCFC fans will be hopeful of a change in fortune, which can be backed up by their impressive business so far this summer transfer window.

The Potters aren’t done yet though, with another deal on the cards.

Stoke City have won the race to secure the services of highly sought-after Spurs attacker Jamie Donley on a season’s loan deal, according t a report from football.london.

Off the back of a fruitful loan spell in League One with Leyton Orient, SCFC are set to play their part in the next steps of the 20-year-old’s career.

Donley was one of the stars of League One last term, impressing as a key player at Leyton Orient as they reached the play-offs. His quality and versatility proved crucial is Orient’s surge up the league table, something Stoke City will be hoping can be replicated in the second tier.

Stoke City-bound Donley has been a standout across Spurs’ youth sides, contributing towards the club’s Premier League 2 triumph in the 2023/24 campaign.

Across their title-winning season, Donley netted six times and provided 14 assists in 20 appearances.

Jamie Donley’s career stats by club – via Transfermarkt

Club Appearances Goals Assists Spurs U18s 40 26 10 Spurs U21s 50 11 20 Leyton Orient 52 8 11

The Leyton Orient stint was the 20-year-old’s first loan move away from the Premier League outfit, though his impressive goal contributing form continued, as he scored eight goals and assisted 11 for the play-off finalists.

Whilst with Orient, the majority of his minutes came from an attacking midfield role, though his qualities allow him to play further forward as a striker or even out wide.

Where will Jamie Donley fit at Stoke City?

Donley’s aforementioned versatility could aid his chances of featuring within the Stoke City side on a regular basis, as the Potters possess a greater level of talent in attacking areas than his previous club.

SCFC have added a further three attacking options to their squad so far this summer transfer window, by way of winger Sorba Thomas and striker duo Robert Bozenik and Divin Mubama.

Bae Jun-ho provides the competition for the Northern Irishman in the attacking midfield role, with Million Manhoef also an option.

Potters’ fans will hope that Donley’s contributions in League One can be translated to the second tier, aiding both club and player. The next step in the youngsters career is crucial for his development, therefore he too, will be hoping that Stoke City is the correct fit.

Birmingham City and West Brom are both out to fight for promotion from the Championship in the 2025/26 season. BCFC are making a big splash after rising from League One, while the Baggies are out to bounce back from a tough time of things last campaign.

The Blues have spent well and landed some ambitious recruits, most notably signing Kyogo Furuhashi on a permanent basis. As for WBA, their business has been more limited, but deals for Aune Heggebo and Nat Phillips have caught the eye.

Earlier this summer, it was claimed that both clubs held an interest in Tottenham Hotspur starlet Mikey Moore, though it didn’t look to be going anywhere with the North Londoners a little hesitant to let him out.

Now though, a new report from Football Insider has said that the door has swung open for Birmingham City and West Brom to make their moves. It is said that Spurs have ‘reluctantly’ agreed to let Moore out to play more regular first-team football.

Other Championship clubs are keen, as are teams in Holland, but Moore will now be allowed out after Spurs initially hoped he would stay to play a part in Thomas Frank’s squad.

Davies vs Mason – A transfer market tussle between two ex-Spurs coaches

Birmingham City may be eyeing Moore thinking that former Spurs coach Chris Davies can play an influential role in getting the young forward through the door. In a battle with other clubs, having someone familiar with the teenage star in the dugout could have been a trump card.

However, West Brom hold that same trump card. Ryan Mason also will have coached Moore at Spurs, and he has done so more recently having only left the North London club this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur will have faith that both managers can be beneficial for Moore’s development, so it will be intriguing to see just who could win the battle for him in this transfer market fight.

Mikey Moore could be another statement loan signing for Birmingham City

Birmingham City have quickly made their presence known on the rise to the Championship. While they’ve been able to flex their financial muscles with permanent swoops, their pulling power in the loan market has been clear to see too,

Tommy Doyle is in on a temporary basis in one of the most impressive bits of business this summer, while Eiran Cashin has followed James Beadle through the door on loan as well.

A deal for Moore would be another significant one too. The 17-year-old is viewed as one of the best prospects Spurs have produced in a long time, with James Maddison previously comparing him to Neymar.

Luton Town are preparing for League One football after a second consecutive relegation. The past two years have been tough for LTFC, but they must now rebuild for their push back up to the Championship.

Eyes have mainly been on the players who could move out of Kenilworth Road, as often is the case with relegated clubs.

However, manager Matt Bloomfield is intent on keeping key men if he can, ideally supplementing his ranks with some solid new recruits too. Now, it seems they’re set to secure the services of a new goalkeeper.

Writing for football.london, reporter Alasdair Gold has said that Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Josh Keeley is expected to join Luton Town on a permanent basis. It is said that an agreement in principle has been reached between the two clubs and with further discussions set to take place, the Irishman is set to return to League One on a full-time deal.

Keeley signed a new deal with Spurs in August 2024, keeping him contracted to the club until 2027. As such, LTFC will be obliged to pay a fee for his services.

Keeley’s impressive Leyton Orient stay

Keeley emerged as a bright goalkeeping prospect in his native Ireland with the St. Pat’s academy and tasted early senior football there before moving over to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2022.

After minutes with the U21s, a first senior loan to Barnet followed, but it was a stint with Leyton Orient over the course of last season that first saw the Luton Town-bound man really catch the eye.

The 22-year-old came out on top in the fight for a starting berth with Zach Hemming and would go on to keep 16 clean sheets in 45 games for the O’s, helping them make the League One play-offs. Keeley even scored a last-gasp goal in a 2-1 FA Cup win over Oldham Athletic in November.

The new Luton Town number one?

Luton Town saw Thomas Kaminski move back up to the Championship with Nathan Jones’ Charlton Athletic earlier this summer. Ever since, there has been a gap to fill in between the sticks.

Veteran James Shea remains on the books, while Jack Walton may hope for opportunities after his Dundee United loan.

However, it will be widely expected that Keeley joins LTFC to become their new number one. He is proven at League One level and at 22, he has a bright future ahead of him.

The Hatters will hope that Keeley can develop and maintain his upward trajectory while they look to push back through the leagues themselves.

Birmingham City were in talks to land the attacking midfielder on loan before the end of the transfer window. However, they haven’t been able to strike an agreement in the end and he won’t be making the move to the Midlands before the deadline this evening.

Devine, 20, is now in limbo and his future at Tottenham Hotspur is up in the air at the moment. He spent the second-half of last season on loan at Plymouth Argyle to get some experience under his belt and went on to make 15 appearances in all competitions to help them stay up in the Championship.

In this latest update regarding his situation by Football Insider, his proposed switch to the Blues has collapsed which has alerted the attention of some other clubs. It remains to be seen at this stage who could potentially be interested in him next, with only Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia mentioned in the report.

Birmingham City deal off

Devine would have given Birmingham City more competition and depth in their ranks. They have other options in his position so the fact he isn’t coming isn’t the end of the world for them.

The Blues were relegated from the Championship in the last campaign after they finished in the bottom three along with Rotherham United and Huddersfield Town.

They have had a busy summer on the transfer front so far and turned to Chris Davies as their manager as they eye an immediate promotion back from League One.

Devine started his career at Liverpool and Wigan Athletic before moving down south in 2020 when Spurs came calling.

He has been with the London club since then and has played twice for their first-team so far, chipping in with a single goal.

The Warrington-born man was loaned out to Port Vale 12 months ago to boost his development and he was a hit at Vale Park during the first-half of last term, scoring three goals in 26 matches.

Devine’s stint with the Valiants was cut short this past winter before he was sent to Plymouth Argyle.

What next for Birmingham City-linked man?

This next move is a big one for the player but it won’t be Birmingham City.

Time will tell to see who else could potentially be after him before the deadline.

Leeds United are interested in Tottenham Hotspur’s Manor Solomon as they eye attacking additions, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Leeds United are a side in need of a big end to the summer transfer window.

Scepticism is high among supporters after a poor start to the season on the pitch and some big departures off it. Georginio Rutter has become the latest to depart, following Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray and Glen Kamara out the exit door.

Daniel Farke’s side have started with two draws, scraping their way to a point against newly-promoted Portsmouth before a goalless draw with West Brom.

Now though, transfer speculation over some much-needed signings is ramping up, and a new name has been linked with Leeds United.

According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, one player on the radar at Elland Road is versatile Tottenham Hotspur attacker Manor Solomon.

Spurs are willing to offload the Israeli international given that he sits far down Ange Postecoglou’s pecking order. With the Whites in the market for additions in the attacking third of the field, they have shortlisted Solomon as a potential target.

The 25-year-old would more than likely be a loan target. He mainly offers his services on the left-back but has played on the opposite flank and through the middle as an attacking midfielder too.

Solomon’s time in England

After successful stays with Maccabi Petah Tikva and Shakhtar Donetsk, Solomon first landed on these shores on a loan deal with Fulham in the summer of 2022.

He had to contend with injury problems in his time at Craven Cottage but he caught the eye with a run of four goals in as many games shortly after returning to full fitness. If Leeds United were to sign him, they’d be hoping for him to hit a run like that.

Solomon became a free agent in 2023 and Spurs decided to take a chance on the versatile winger. He managed two assists in a Premier League win over Burnley but played just two times in an injury-hit season.

Now back to full fitness, he’s down the pecking order at Spurs and in line for a move.

Time will tell if it’s Leeds United who offer him a route out of North London though with the club sure to be considering a number of options in their search for new attacking players.

Long awaited movement

Leeds United have had all summer to line up replacements for star players but they’ve still been left flat-footed upon the departures of some key players.

However, it seems there may finally be movement in the hunt for a winger.

After consistent speculation, UD Almeria’s Largie Ramazani looks set to sign on a permanent basis. More signings, such as Solomon, are needed though. A striker will be wanted, and it’s down for the club to deliver in the late stages of the window.

It remains to be seen whether Solomon is someone they zero in on, but he certainly looks to be under consideration.

Sunderland are continuing their new striker hunt as they turn to Tottenham Hotspur youngster Dane Scarlett, according to Sports Illustrated.

Sunderland had a very disappointing second half of last season as they dropped from play-offs at Christmas to a 16th place finish.

One of the main frustrations for Sunderland fans has been the lack of first team striker. Since losing Ross Stewart, initially to injury before then leaving for Southampton, the Black Cats have struggled up front.

A deal for SM Caen forward Alexandre Mendy appears to have fallen through, so Sunderland have been forced to look elsewhere.

Now, according to Sports Illustrated, Tottenham striker Dane Scarlett is of ‘significant interest’ to Regis Le Bris’ men, who wish to take him on loan for the season. They also go on to say that Scarlett would come in to compliment a more senior centre-forward.

Fellow Spurs man Will Lankshear has also been of interest to the Black Cats, but Scarlett appears to be their preference.

During the Kyril Louis-Dreyfus era, Sunderland have done business with Spurs before. Dennis Cirkin and Jack Clarke came from White Hart Lane, and both have turned out to be an enormous success at the Stadium of Light.

Highly rated Scarlett

Scarlett has had two loan spells over the last two seasons. He spent the 2022/23 season at Portsmouth, making 36 appearances and scoring four goals. While his goal return was poor for Pompey, he did impress with his all-round game.

He then spent the first half of last term at Ipswich Town, making 12 appearances before going back to Spurs.

While his loan spells have not exactly been inspiring, Sunderland target Scarlett comes very highly rated. At just 17, Jose Mourinho said that he ‘is going to be phenomenal’.

Still only 20, Scarlett has a long future in the game and should he join, he will hope a spell at the Stadium of Light will kick-start his professional career.

Would he fit into Le Bris’ side?

Sunderland started the season with a 2-0 win away to Cardiff City.

Le Bris started young Eliezer Mayenda up front, whom he has favoured through pre-season. However, the goals came through Luke O’Nien and Jack Clarke.

Mayenda had a decent game and is clearly a good prospect, but it is evident that he needs help. The Spaniard has failed to find the net in a competitive game since signing from Sochaux last summer.

Enter Scarlett, who is fairly mobile so would fit in Le Bris’ pressing style, and Sunderland create a lot of chances that natural strikers like the Spurs prospect live and breathe on.

The England youth International could be a very astute loan signing for the Black Cats. However, a more experienced forward for he and Mayenda to learn from should still be a priority.