Tottenham Hotspur are progressing with a loan move for midfielder Jamie Donley, with a medical already arranged, as the north London club continues to negotiate a separate departure for Pape Matar Sarr before the transfer window closes.
According to reports, the agreement for Donley's temporary switch does not include an option to buy, reflecting Spurs' preference to retain the ability to evaluate the 21-year-old's progress once the season concludes rather than commit to a permanent sale now.
Donley was part of the travelling squad for Tottenham's pre-season tour across Australia and Asia over the summer, a trip during which he is understood to have caught the eye of head coach Roberto De Zerbi. Despite that positive impression, the Italian's growing midfield options mean opportunities for Donley in the first team are set to be scarce this campaign, particularly following the club's recruitment of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.
The young midfielder's development has largely taken place away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in recent seasons. He spent the opening half of last season on loan at Stoke City, though he found it difficult to secure regular game time there. He was recalled by Spurs before being sent out again, this time to Oxford United, where he made a stronger impression on the pitch. However, his efforts were not enough to keep Oxford in the Championship, as the club suffered relegation to League One.
Alongside the Donley situation, Tottenham are also working to finalize a permanent exit for Sarr. The Senegal international, who has attracted interest from Aston Villa, has not featured for Spurs in any competition so far this season. De Zerbi has indicated that Sarr is dealing with a hamstring problem, a issue that developed after the midfielder was given extended time off following his participation at the World Cup.
Tottenham have already generated more than £100million through player sales during the current transfer window, and the club is reportedly seeking a fee in the region of £20million to sanction Sarr's departure.
The midfield reshuffle comes as De Zerbi has been candid with his squad about the realities of squad depth following a summer of significant investment. The coach has stated that he cannot promise regular playing time to every player given the volume of new arrivals at the club.
Despite those challenges, one midfielder who looks set to remain in north London is Lucas Bergvall. The young Swede had previously signaled a desire to leave Spurs earlier in the transfer window, seeking a move that would guarantee him more consistent minutes elsewhere. However, following discussions with the club, Bergvall is now expected to stay and fight for his place within the squad rather than push through an exit.
The developments illustrate the scale of Tottenham's midfield overhaul this summer, with De Zerbi reshaping his options through both incoming signings and a series of loan and permanent departures. While Donley's move looks set to be finalized as a loan without a purchase clause, the club's business regarding Sarr remains ongoing, with a deal in the region of £20million viewed as the benchmark figure for any sale before the window shuts.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport.