EXCLUSSIVE: The Blues In Another Race To Sign A Young Talent, Coach Smiles

Despite securing the signature of League One top goalscorer Alfie May earlier this week, Birmingham City are eyeing up another centre-forward, according to the latest reports.

The BBC reported last week that there were “many” clubs in League One and “several” in the Championship who were keeping tabs on Jamie Donley at Tottenham Hotspur after his impressive displays in Spurs’ academy system. However, the outlet revealed that newly-promoted second tier outfit Oxford United were leading the race for his signature and were in talks with the North London side to take him on loan.

Nevertheless, football.london have added to this transfer saga, claiming that recently-relegated Birmingham and Championship side Luton Town are also interest in signing the 19-year-old, who made his Premier League debut during a 3-3 draw between Tottenham and Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium back in December after he replaced Brennan Johnson in the sixth minute of stoppage time against the English champions.

Donley made four senior appearances in total before the season ended but it is believed that the club are keen to send him out on loan to get regular game-time in men’s football. The Blues and the Hatters face tough competition with Des Buckingham’s U’s for the young centre-forward’s services.

The teenager already has a market value of between £2.1-3.6 million, as per FootballTransfers, despite his limited minutes at Spurs, which showcases his incredible potential, although his current club are only entertaining loan offers right now.

Birmingham City recently appointed Chris Davies as head coach ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. The 39-year-old knows Donley well from the time he spent alongside Ange Postecoglou in the dugout at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and would have regularly worked with the attacker on the training ground.

Writer’s View

New signing May will be the first-choice number ‘9’ at St. Andrew’s next season under the new boss after his incredible campaign at Charlton Athletic in which he scored 25 goals in 47 appearances and ended the season as League One’s top goalscorer.

However, it seems as though Davies is looking for a player to act as a back-up to the prolific frontman. While Donley has very little experience in the professional game, he could be the perfect understudy for May at Birmingham City and will be working alongside his former coach which would offer him a degree of familiarity.