Tottenham Hotspur have let one of their most promising young players leave the club for the upcoming campaign, albeit temporarily, with Dane Scarlett heading to the Championship on loan.
Oxford United move quickly to bag Scarlett
The club has announced that Scarlett will join Oxford United on a season-long loan for the 2024/25 campaign, with a view to gaining valuable and regular first-team experience.
A statement from the official Spurs site reads: “Dane Scarlett has joined Championship side Oxford United on loan for the 2024/25 season.
“The 20-year-old striker, a product of our Academy, spent the first half of last season on loan at Ipswich Town before returning to us and making six appearances during the latter months of the campaign, taking his overall number of first team appearances in our colours to 17.
“An England Under-21 international, Dane has also previously spent time on loan at Portsmouth.”
It is thought there will be no obligation or purchase clauses of any kind as part of this deal.
Word of Oxford’s interest in Scarlett first emerged via The Telegraph on Monday night, stating the Championship new boys were looking to replace their injured forward, Will Goodwin.
That report cited Tottenham’s desire to see Scarlett join a team that plays progressive football and that can offer the youngster regular minutes in his natural centre forward role.
Just hours after that first report, it was revealed by The Athletic that Scarlett was undergoing a medical with Oxford ahead of the proposed move.
A second chance for Scarlett
Scarlett had attracted the interest of a number of Championship clubs this summer, with Sunderland mentioned by Sports Illustrated as a potential suitor for the 20-year-old.
The young striker will be looking to put the disappointment of last season’s failed loan move to Ipswich Town behind him.
Scarlett joined the newly-promoted Tractor Boys hoping to get regular game time, but ended up making just 12 appearances in the Championship amounting to 146 minutes, before heading back to Spurs in January.
Spurs Web Opinion
On paper this is a perfect move for Scarlett. He’s joining a club who need him, and who will use him correctly.
Given Oxford have just joined the Championship, there’s every chance Scarlett will be one of their star players and he could really shine in that environment. Not to put too much pressure on him, but this loan spell really does need to work.