One of Tottenham’s brightest academy graduates is now extremely close to sealing a permanent move away from the club.
Spurs have shelled out £237m on six signings so far this summer, and various journalists have indicated that Tottenham’s spending spree is expected to continue.
Unsurprisingly, the club have now begun selling some players to offset their spending, with Luka Vuskovic, Radu Dragusin and Alejo Veliz all leaving Spurs over recent days.
A Tottenham academy graduate is now also set to head out the door and fetch a decent profit for the Lilywhites.
Alfie Devine is on the verge of leaving Tottenham to join Preston
Preston’s £4.5m option to buy Devine expired at the start of this month, and it came as a big surprise to many when the Championship club did not activate it.
The attacking midfielder had been one of the club’s best players last season, registering 14 goal contributions during his loan spell at Deepdale.
It has now been confirmed that Devine – who became Tottenham’s youngest-ever player and goalscorer in 2021 against Marine in the FA Cup – will indeed be returning to Deepdale permanently, subject to him passing a medical.
This is according to Alasdair Gold, who revealed that the attacking midfielder is on the verge of returning to Paul Heckingbottom’s side, but the journalist did not clarify whether the Championship club activated the purchase clause or struck a deal with Spurs.
Gold wrote on X: “Understand Alfie Devine is currently having a medical ahead of a move to Preston North End. The youngster had a great season there on loan and looks set to join the Championship side permanently with plenty of clubs also interested.”
Journalist Alan Nixon says the Devine transfer could actually be worth £6m for Tottenham.
Has Devine snubbed Champions League hopefuls in favour of a Preston move?
Over the last few days, it has been widely reported that Celtic had expressed an interest in a move for Devine, having been impressed by his displays in the Championship last season.
In fact, it was reported that Celtic boss Martin O’Neill was personally driving the Scottish club’s interest in the Tottenham youngster.
However, it appears that Devine has rejected the chance to play in front of a huge crowd at Parkhead and a taste of Champions League football in favour of returning to a familiar environment, where he knows he will get regular game time.