Ange Postecoglou set to make crucial decision on talented Tottenham wonderkid

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou is set to make a decision on the next step in Jamie Donley’s future amid plenty of loan interest from clubs in the Championship and League One, football.london understands.

The 19-year-old had a season to remember last time out as he produced 25 goal involvements in 23 games (17 assists, nine goals) for Spurs‘ U21s in the Premier League 2 and EFL Trophy alone, not to mention a flurry of further assists and goals in the Premier League Cup. Originally a forward, Donley has turned into an even bigger prospect as an attacking midfielder with a surge in his development last season.

That dominating form caught the eye of Postecoglou and Donley was handed three appearances in the Premier League from the bench against Manchester City, Newcastle United and Brentford, before also coming on late against Burnley in the FA Cup third round. He was also among the young players who appeared in the post-season friendly in Melbourne against Newcastle.

With the Tottenham players set to return to Hotspur Way from July 6 for pre-season training under Postecoglou, promoted senior assistant coach Matt Wells and a reshaped coaching staff, the Australian will have to decide what comes next for Donley, who signed a four-year deal with the club last year.

football.london understands that while Spurs are not entertaining offers to sell the player, there is a growing likelihood that they could decide to loan him out next season as long as the move is guaranteed to bring regular football and help his development into the player many within the club believe he can become.

Postecoglou’s former assistant coach Chris Davies was a big fan of Donley and with the 39-year-old now in his first managerial role, in charge of Birmingham City, the Midlands club are expected to be in the running for Donley this summer if a loan move is the way forward. Birmingham are now in League One after their relegation but will be favourites for promotion and will likely continue to have crowds of around 21,000 at St Andrew’s week in, week out.

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Newly-promoted Championship side Oxford United are also believed to be among the clubs in the Football League ready to line up for Donley if Postecoglou green-lights a season of regular football for the teenager.

Tottenham have 18-year-old Lucas Bergvall arriving from Djurgarden next week following his £8.5million move from Sweden, with Alfie Devine set to return from a season away on loan, while Postecoglou has also taken a shine to Mikey Moore and Tyrese Hall from the club’s academy, meaning there are plenty of youth options for the number eight and attacking roles.

When it comes to Donley, the Australian must decide whether to keep the youngster around to get minutes in the Europa League and Carabao Cup and then consider a loan move in January, or allow the teenager to spend the entire season out on loan getting regular first team experience for his development as Devine did last year.

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