Preston North End have triggered the £6 million option-to-buy clause included in Alfie Devine’s contract…
The midfielder has been enjoying a spell away from parent club Tottenham Hotspur and it now appears that the Deepdale side are determined to keep a hold of the man rumoured to be a Celtic target this summer.
21 year old has made 48 appearances for Preston, scoring eight goals
Devine, who has made a total of 48 appearances for Preston this year in the Championship, helped the Lancashire club to a 14th place finish. Throughout his time at the Lilywhites, the 21-year-old scored eight goals and managed the same in assists, prompting a spate of interested clubs in his services heading into the close season.
It was rumoured a month ago or so now that Devine was one of a handful of targets Celtic interim boss Martin O’Neill was scouting, during a trip to see North End versus Queens Park Rangers.
Martin O’Neill and Mark Fotheringham scouted him on Easter Monday
Naturally, the rumours started to mount about who O’Neill and backroom assistant, Mark Fotheringham, were in attendance to see on Easter Monday, with reports Devine was on the hit-list.
If that were the case, Preston have now stolen a yard on Celtic and others, according to the Lancashire Post. The outlet claims that Preston have now triggered the pre-agreed £6 million fee for his services, in order to make his loan spell under ex-Hibs manager Paul Heckingbottom permanent.
Spurs may wish to hold off
Although, it does caveat this information, by revealing that Spurs may wish to hold off, to see how other interest develops for a player with 12-months left on his deal.
To complicate matters, the report also states that Preston would like to pay this fee in numerous installments, which isn’t particularly of interest to Tottenham, who will have their own crucial rebuild job this summer under Roberto De Zerbi.
Devine in no immediate rush to decide his next move
De Zerbi saved the club from an embarrassing relegation after a botched campaign, with wholesale changes expected at Spurs. Moreover, the Post also insists that Devine will have a large say in where he goes and that he is in no rush to decide.
One to keep an eye on. The boy might fancy a shot at the Champions League with the five-in-a-row* Scottish Champions Celtic.
Paul Gillespie
*That’s us half way there for any lurking Bears! Have a nice day.
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1 Comment
Why would you want to sign for Celtic when you can sign for a team that hasn’t played top flight football for 65 years.
Mind you everyone south of the border knows that Hearts won the Scottish premiership last season. It was several terrible decisions that robbed them.
I’m guessing Devine will probably sign for Wolves.