The midfielder scored eight goals on loan at PNE last season
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Celtic are ‘prepared to step up their interest’ in Alfie Devine, according to reports.
Preston North End activated their option-to-buy the player in early June but a deal hasn’t been wrapped up. That has opened the door for other clubs to swoop in, though it’s understood the Lilywhites remain in dialogue with Devine.
Celtic, along with Wolves, are one club to have been consistently credited with interest in the midfielder. Hoops boss Martin O’Neill was spotted at Deepdale on Easter Monday, for the Championship clash against QPR.
While links to PNE goalkeeper Daniel Iversen followed, Devine has regularly been mentioned as a possible Celtic target. Now, Football Insider suggest that the Scottish Premiership champions are ‘plotting a move’ to secure the 21-year-old’s services.
The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder had a stand out loan spell at Preston last campaign, scoring eight goals and assisting as many across 48 appearances. North End’s buy option was in the region of £6million.
While that fee is still thought to be the price tag on Devine, personal terms are another matter. In the last couple of weeks there have been noises around increased wage demands, which would likely see PNE blown out of the water.
The deadline for Preston’s buy-option was July 1 but it’s believed Spurs agreed to extend that - for how long is unknown. The Lilywhites start pre-season on Monday and have so far made one signing: goalkeeper Lee Nicholls from Huddersfield Town.