Tottenham are planning to keep highly-rated academy starlet Alfie Devine in and around the first-team next season as opposed to sending him out on loan, according to Football.London.
Devine, 17, has been flourishing for Spurs U23s this season and has set an impressive mark of eight goals and three assists in the Premier League 2 so far (Transfermarkt).
His impressive form of late, coupled with a handful of absences, has managed to earn him recognition from Spurs head coach Antonio Conte, who named him in the side’s last two squads against Leeds and Middlesbrough respectively.
And while things continue to point in the right direction for Devine, Spurs are said to be keeping him firmly in their plans for the upcoming campaign.
Football.London reports the club intends to keep the young midfielder close to the first-team next term instead of securing a loan move for him in order to register him as a club-trained player.
UEFA notes a club-trained player is someone between the age of 15 and 16 who has been registered for a period three full seasons.
Currently, Devine is halfway through his second campaign with Tottenham having made one appearance for the senior side.
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Spurs Web Opinion
Devine is arguably Tottenham’s most prestigious youth prospect at the moment and the fact they want him in their plans next season speaks volumes about how highly rated he is.
He has excelled for the reserve side and it is almost like he is too good at that level, but the Premier League might be a step too far at the moment. It is definitely an interesting one to follow.
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