Preston North End are already beginning to shape their plans for the summer transfer window after a campaign that promised far more than a 14th-place finish in the Championship.
Paul Heckingbottom’s side spent much of the first half of the season in the play-off conversation before fading badly after the turn of the year, with injuries, recalls and a lack of depth ultimately catching up with them.
Despite that downturn, there were still plenty of positives to emerge from the Lilywhites across the 2025/26 campaign, particularly in the loan market.
Tottenham Hotspur youngster Alfie Devine established himself as one of Preston’s standout performers, becoming a key figure in Heckingbottom’s attacking setup.
The 21-year-old midfielder ended the season with eight goals and six assists in 45 Championship appearances, while also collecting PNE's Young Player of the Year award, and his form has inevitably sparked speculation over whether North End could secure a permanent deal this summer.
Preston North End working on payment structure for permanent Alfie Devine transfer
That move could be a bit closer now, as according to Alan Nixon via Patreon, Preston are hopeful of completing a club-record deal for Devine after agreeing a £4.5 million fee with Spurs in advance of his season-long loan last summer.
However, the report states that the Lancashire outfit are now attempting to negotiate a payment structure with the London giants that would allow the fee to be spread over three or four years due to their restricted budget, with a takeover attempt from US-Saudi businessman Amr Zedan still not yet completed.
Devine arrived at Deepdale last summer on a temporary basis and quickly became one of the Championship’s most exciting young midfielders.
Having previously enjoyed loan spells at Port Vale, Plymouth Argyle and Belgian side Westerlo, this past season represented the clearest indication yet that Devine is ready to establish himself as a senior player at a high level, with eight Championship goals and six assists.
Interest in the midfielder has, however, intensified in recent months. Reports have linked Celtic with a possible move, while Tottenham were also believed to be monitoring his development closely about a potential recall following his strong campaign under Heckingbottom.
But Preston appear determined to give themselves every chance of winning the race for his signature, and were in a strong position anyway thanks to the pre-agreed transfer fee.
The proposed £4.5 million deal would comfortably eclipse Preston’s previous transfer record - a reported £2.1 million for Milutin Osmajic (Callum Lang's move from Portsmouth could go above that fee) - and signal a major statement of intent from the club, particularly amid ongoing takeover speculation.
Alfie Devine pursuit could reveal Preston North End’s summer ambition
Whether Preston can finalise a deal for Devine may ultimately depend on more than just agreeing payment terms with Tottenham.
The midfielder himself would still need convincing that Deepdale is the right environment for the next stage of his development, especially with interest emerging from elsewhere and the possibility of opportunities higher up the football pyramid.
Yet, PNE can make a strong case.
Devine became one of Heckingbottom’s most trusted players this season and was consistently deployed in a role that allowed him to flourish creatively. His relationship with teammates became central to Preston’s attacking identity during the club’s strongest run of form.
There is also a growing sense that North End recognise the importance of retaining the core of what briefly looked like a genuine play-off-calibre side before their campaign unravelled in January.
Would you welcome Devine back at Deepdale next season - or is the money better used elsewhere? Comment your opinion below!
Heckingbottom himself has repeatedly stressed the need for Preston to stop developing loan players purely for the benefit of other clubs. Securing Devine permanently would represent a significant shift in that direction.
Financially, it would still be a considerable gamble for a club that traditionally operates among the Championship’s lowest spenders. But if Preston can negotiate favourable payment terms with Spurs, the move may become far more realistic than initially expected.