Lancashire Evening Post

The midfielder has had a strong season on loan at PNE from Spurs

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Alfie Devine will not be letting anyone else decide his future after his Preston North End loan spell concludes.

With four games left to play in the Championship, the midfielder’s spell at Deepdale is almost over. Devine has scored eight goals in 44 appearances across all competitions, with 32 league starts made and four assists provided.

It is his fourth loan spell away from Tottenham Hotspur, whom he joined from Wigan Athletic in the summer of 2020. Devine’s stint in Belgium last year, with Westerlo, caught PNE boss Paul Heckingbottom’s eye.

That faith has been rewarded by the 21-year-old, who has carried out a variety of roles for North End and made a big impact in the final third. Preston do have an expensive option-to-buy Devine this summer, thought to be in the £4.5million region.

Right now, it’s tough for the player to know what the immediate future holds but Devine will ensure he dictates the next step of his career. He didn’t want to rule out a return to PNE if the chance presented itself.

Speaking last week, around his future, Devine told BBC Lancashire: “I don't really spend that much time thinking about it, to be honest. I think, obviously, keeping an eye on (Tottenham’s’) results and everything to do with that.

“But while I'm here, I'm just focused on everything that's going on here and then I think football sort of takes care of itself. So, what next season will look like, I can't really tell you. But, I know that I'll be pushing for the thing that probably will be the best for me and what I want for myself, not what other people will want for me.

“There's obviously the buy option in the loan and stuff. It's hard to say whether that'll happen or that won't happen, because in football things change so fast. I'll be sure to pick something that's right for me and if that takes time, then it takes time. I'll definitely make sure that the one I pick is obviously picked by myself.”

Devine added: ”Everyone's obviously different as footballers. I think the thing that I've noticed as a person in football, not a player, is that you have to always do what's best for you on the pitch, definitely. You never know what goes on in football. Stuff changes very quickly and it's just about taking your time.”

Precious time for Devine

The number 21, who hails from Warrington, says the loan has ‘been everything’ he wanted it to be. A huge bonus, personally, has been living 15 minutes away from his mum and dad, while being able to see so much more of his friends. That is something Devine hasn’t taken for granted but equally, he knows it may have to be given up again.

“Definitely,” said Devine. “It's not like an important factor but it worked out nice for me this time. Last year, going to Belgium and stuff like that, I wasn't thinking, ‘Oh, it's miles away from home’. I'm going there because I know what's right for my football at the time, in the position I was in. There was only the abroad market open, so that's the only place I could go and I wanted to go out on loan - everything is a football-based decision.”

He added: “I was in London at 15, 16 and would only come back home for summer for maybe a month, five weeks if that. Last year I was in Belgium where I could only see my mates in those eight, nine months about three, four times.

“I think it's the little things that people don't see; you miss out on birthdays, you miss out on family stuff, you miss out on all that stuff when you're away. When you're home you get to do all of that plus your football as well. I think that's what everyone wants. It's not a priority to be at home but when the two and two fell together then it was perfect.”

The Tottenham Hotspur man is having a productive loan spell at PNE

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Preston North End supporters, by now, are used to the pain of seeing loan stars leave at the end of the season. In the case of Alfie Devine, the midfielder would be one of the toughest to watch walk away and not return.

Signed on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur, the youngster immediately caught the eye - scoring in the second game of the season at home to Leicester City. He has gone on to net eight goals and assist three, across 41 appearances.

For Devine, it represents a significant year in his development. He had his first taste of the Championship, two seasons ago, with Plymouth. On the back of a year in the Belgian top flight, though, the midfielder has now established himself in the second tier.

On the back of a brace and stand out performance against Stoke City, last time out, the Spurs man hit the headlines once again. There has been strong trust in the player from manager Paul Heckingbottom, who discussed Devine post-match.

“Alfie's a good, good player,” said Heckingbottom, to BBC Lancashire. “A good lad. I don't think we've seen the best of him. As good as he plays, I think there's more to come - he needs pushing. But I think with that as well, we have to understand it’s the most amount of minutes he's played in this league.

“It's tough... you're a young boy, you have peaks and troughs. Where we need to get him is that consistency of performance because he's got the ability, he's got the brain, he's got the talent to affect games positively, every single time he's on the pitch.”

The intrigue around Devine’s future is heightened due to North End’s option-to-buy him this summer. The fee is thought to be in the region of £4.5million, with PNE CEO Peter Ridsdale stating that personal terms have already been agreed.

Clearly, the transfer fee makes a deal look challenging for North End, whose record buy as a club is £2m~. Preston have the option but it would still require Devine to accept the move. He would not be obliged to do so.

Undoubtedly, the player will have his suitors in the summer. Like with most loan players at Preston, Devine has only spoken highly of his time at the club and, back closer to home, seems genuinely happy.

And yet, his career is still very much in its infancy. Devine has made two appearances for the Spurs first team and isn’t giving up on making his mark there.

"Yeah, definitely," said Devine to Sky Sports. "When you're at a club, I think your dream is always to play for them. Every single time I go back that is something I strive to do and that is my ambition. But, sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't.

“So, if that means another loan or whatever, it just depends what comes with it. I think it's probably the same as the rest of the boys coming in on loan. You have to find your way to get rhythm going in playing and training and then see where that takes you."

A new club for the ex-PNE, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder

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Former Preston North End midfielder Josh Onomah has signed for FC Dinamo Tbilisi.

Having been without a club for the past nine months, the 28-year-old has put pen-to-paper on a one-year deal, with option for a further 12 months. Onomah left PNE’s arch-rivals, Blackpool, last summer and had been on the search for a new club since.

The Georgian club’s Erovnuli Liga campaign started on March 7, with three matches played. For ex-Aston Villa and Fulham man, Onomah, it represents his next opportunity after a challenging few years.

Preston snapped the former England youth international up, on a free transfer in January 2023. He played 13 games in the Championship for PNE but, after his short-term deal expired, fresh terms could not be agreed in the summer.

At the time, manager Ryan Lowe said: “We offered Josh a contract about a week before the season finished and we were in negotiations with Josh and his representatives. Josh’s contract terms were agreed, but there’s been a lot of complications with the deal regarding if and when he could sign, which was out of our control.

“Unfortunately, we’ve had to move on to other targets because we just couldn’t wait any longer. We wish Josh all the best and hopefully he gets back playing somewhere because he’s a talented boy. We just couldn’t wait any longer in what was a difficult situation.”

Onomah went on trial to Stoke City but did not land a contract there, but sealed a move to the Seasiders in October 2024 - a move which saw him reunited with old Sheffield Wednesday boss, Steve Bruce.

In between the player’s exit from Preston and switch to Bloomfield Road was 18 months as a free agent. He played 18 games for Blackpool across all competitions, with injuries hindering his time on the Fylde coast.

Alfie Devine and Milutin Osmajic were on the score sheet at Deepdale

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Preston North End came from behind to beat Stoke City 3-1 on Friday night.

Here are our player ratings from Deepdale.

Daniel Iversen: Beaten by power for the Stoke goal - a difficult one for him to stop. Didn’t have a great deal to do after that. 6

Jordan Storey: A bit of nervousness in the opening exchanges but kept his head up and did fine over the piece. 7

Liam Lindsay: Grew into the contest against his old club. Some important interventions both aerially and on the ground. Headed over from a first half corner. 7.5

Andrew Hughes: Solid shift from the Welshman. Won some big tackles and blocked a dangerous shot at three-one. 7

Pol Valentin: Lost Thomas for his goal. Recovered from that and put plenty of work in, up and down the right flank. 6

Andrija Vukcevic: Full of commitment for his hour or so. Couldn’t stop the cross for the opener but improved from there. Vital block at one apiece. 6.5

Ben Whiteman: Just a booking for a late first half tackle. Managed the match well from there and played some smart forward passes. 7

Alfie Devine: Dropped into a slightly deeper role and had an excellent game. Took his second goal exquisitely. A mature, industrious performance. 8.5

Andrew Moran: Another encouraging performance. Assisted PNE’s first goal. Buzzed around and worked incredibly hard out of possession. 7.5

Lewis Dobbin: A couple of loose moments in poor areas but he was a threat. Improved as the game wore on and assisted the second goal with a lovely cross. 7

Milutin Osmajic: Strong performance. Led the line impressively, backing in and linking play up effectively. Headed PNE in front and then assisted the third goal. 8

Thierry Small: Introduced for the final half-an-hour and stuck to his task. 6

Brad Potts: Slotted in and did what was required. One forward run and cut back for Dobbin, which he placed over. 6

Daniel Jebbison: Came on for the final 20 minutes or so and added freshness. 6

Odel Offiah: A late substitute and helped see the points home. One error in a bad area but got away with it. 6

Michael Smith: Got the ball a handful of times and looked after it. 6

Preston North End predicted XI vs Millwall as loan star returns  Lancashire Evening Post

The Spurs man is enjoying a successful loan spell at Deepdale

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Preston North End loan star Alfie Devine is very much focused on the present.

The 21-year-old is one of the latest loan signings to catch the eye at Deepdale. Devine has been a regular in Paul Heckingbottom’s side all season, scoring six goals with a further two assisted. Devine’s latest strike clinched a much needed victory at home to Portsmouth.

North End supporters have watched their fair share of Premier League players enjoy their temporary stays at the club, over recent seasons. Devine is slightly different to the rest, in the fact PNE have inserted a buy-option - albeit expensive - into his loan agreement. As far as he’s concerned, it’s all about the here and now.

“Not necessarily, no,” Devine told the Lancashire Post, when asked if his mind ever goes beyond what will happen this season. “I know there's the buy option in there and stuff like that. I think that all gets sorted after the season. Throughout the season, it's just about focusing on what's happening right now.”

On his enjoyment of the loan, Devine told BBC Lancashire. “I think every single time I speak to the media, or to whoever, I express how much I love it here. From day one until now, you can tell when you've got a good feeling in and around the place.

“You're looking forward to going in every day, and then when it gets to Saturday, Tuesday, whenever the game is, that sort of shows on the pitch. I think that's the same with everyone that we've brought in this season as well.”

Spurs loan star believes

North End endured a rocky January with four straight defeats, without scoring, suffered across all competitions. A solid away point - very nearly three - at high flying Ipswich Town gave Preston a boost going into last weekend’s win over Pompey. Devine has always felt this season could be a memorable one for the Lilywhites.

“Yeah, definitely,” said Devine. “With the squad we’ve had all season, and even the three boys that we brought in in January, you can see how strong our squad is. Players, staff, everyone at the club believes that we're capable of going and achieving what we want to achieve this season.”

“I think that (recent transfer business) sort of shows what people think of the squad this season, that there's a real chance of achieving what we want to do. The boys we brought in as well, it's a massive help to us. Obviously, we hadn’t scored in I don't know how many games, but bringing three players at the top of the pitch really helps that.”

Keep up-to date with the latest PNE updates and news with our exclusive newsletter: www.lep.co.uk/newsletter

The Lilywhites are yet to strengthen Paul Heckingbottom’s squad

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Our first Preston North End transfer Q&A of the January transfer window...

Paul Wareing: Do you agree that this is the time to strengthen more than ever given our current league position & serious possibility of cementing a play-off place, OR even more? The summer was definitely more of a well needed overhaul which was a success in the main, but do you agree that it's now quality over quantity we require now to add that extra X-factor.

GH: Definitely, Paul. As written earlier this week, North End deserve huge credit for the job they did in the summer. With a modest outlay in this day and age, the Lilywhites managed to assemble a squad that will give it a right go this year - most expectations were probably exceeded and they aren’t far away.

But, manager Paul Heckingbottom has made no secret of the fact he feels Preston need more. Stefan Thordarson and Will Keane’s exits can only help but clearly, PNE don’t have much to spend this month - Heckingbottom admitted this hard it will be ‘tough’ but North End have got to try.

Others around them will absolutely strengthen. Success in the January market tends to be hit and miss but that isn’t a reason to not do business; we have seen in recent years just how big of an impact players can have. It would be a great shame, in the future, to look back at this season, and January specifically, with any regret.

Preston aren’t often in this position. Many things have aligned at once and there’s a real opportunity for them to get into the play-offs this season. Once you’re in there, you just never know what could happen. If you don’t seize this moment and give yourselves the best chance, you never will.

Norman Hargreaves: What are the chances of getting Alfie Devine on a permanent transfer?

GH: We asked Heckingbottom this week about the possibility of signing any of this season’s loan players permanently, and whether promotion would be the only realistic way. He didn’t have a great deal to say other than that it’s looking too far ahead. The buy-option in Devine’s loan agreement is thought to be around the £4.5million mark.

At the time of his signature, there was a bit of surprise to see that inserted given it is more than double what PNE have ever paid for a player in their history. Now, with North End sitting fourth, it doesn’t look quite as daft. Still, though, you’d be very surprised to see the Lilywhites trigger that if still in the Championship next year.

If Preston brought in a decent fee of their own then that would certainly help. Without that, you’d struggle to have great optimism. It would be a tough one to take because Devine is an incredibly likable player, with quality, whom Heckingbottom values highly and enjoys working with.

At 21, his career is only just getting started and the midfielder is proving himself on the Championship stage. There were rumours of PNE pushing the boat out to try and sign Tom Cannon for a huge fee a few years ago; perhaps something similar will be attempted if Devine has a strong second half to the season.

Shaun Thompson: Given that this season is the most realistic chance of achieving something, will we finally have an ambitious transfer window where we invest more on players than we do on excuses?

GH: A similar one to Paul’s. In terms of investment specifically, though, North End don’t seem to have much money to play with at all. As Peter Ridsdale often states the budget for the year is set out; it doesn’t go up or down. PNE’s boss didn’t rule out permanent additions but hazarded a guess that it’ll be a couple of short-term additions this month.

Gary B Johnson: Anything happening at all regarding incomings?

GH: Heckingbottom was pretty open on Thursday and suggested one deal is effectively agreed, but PNE are waiting on the selling club to recruit one themselves. We asked him if that is a loan; he replied that there are lots of way ‘round doing things’. That suggests it could be a loan with option/obligation to buy in the summer.

Nothing is thought to be imminent but, with limited funds, Preston are trying to bolster their ranks. Heckingbottom does not seem the type to sit back and coast through the window - you’d expect him to be making his feelings clear and pushing the club to add. He wants two attackers, plus a midfielder if Armstrong doesn’t come back. Let’s see...

Eric Critchley: What a time to invest in three quality players. We sit in the play offs and this would be the perfect time to get players in that are going to keep us there! We definitely have the manager, so now is the time for the club to back him big style.

GH: Not a question from Eric, but I’m sure the sentiment will be shared far and wide among the PNE faithful. The manager, squad, current league position, openness of the division... it ticks every box for a moment Preston have to try and grab with both hands.

The Spurs man was on the score sheet at Wrexham but PNE fell to defeat

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Preston North End midfielder Alfie Devine admitted the Lilywhites were off the pace on Monday night at Wrexham.

The Lilywhites dropped out of the Championship top six with their second defeat in 13 matches. Goals from Nathan Broadhead and Ollie Rathbone, in either half, sent Phil Parkinson’s side into a two-goal lead.

It was Tottenham Hotspur loan man, Devine, who pulled one back with six minutes to play. The 21-year-old’s fourth goal of the campaign couldn’t spark a late comeback, though, and he wasn’t one for covering the performance up post-match.

Speaking to BBC Lancashire, he said: “It's hard to say (if we deserved more) straight after the game, but I think we definitely know we weren't at our best. That's not us, I don't think.

“I think the two goals we conceded, everyone can say that's not good enough to concede goals like that. But then on the flip side of it, I don't think we made their ‘keeper work as much as I think we'd like to.

”He had maybe two or three each half to make and based off the last game as well, we tested him a lot more. So, I think in both boxes there's definitely a lot to work on. There were spells in the first half we played some good stuff.

“The second half we definitely dominated a lot of it, but I think that's always going to be the case with them being one nil up and it's about making those first-half opportunities and spells of play count.

“We had one or two half chances where, on another day, it goes a lot better for us. But second half, when you have that much of the ball and stuff like that, us attacking players and us front players definitely needed to create a little more than what we did.

“I think we've shown this season as always that we never give up on games, whether we're in losing positions or even when we're winning, we still show the same fight, the same mentality going into it.

“I don't think anyone can doubt our mentality, our work rate and stuff like that. Even to the 90th minute and the full-time whistle, we're still trying to do our thing, still fighting, still working hard. That's one thing that this team can be quite proud of, that we definitely always have that.”

Your next PNE read: Player ratings vs Wrexham

The Lilywhites take on Wrexham this weekend at Deepdale

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One main fear around Preston North End over the summer was goals.

Emil Riis, a player who split opinion but provided a reliable source of them, left on a free transfer after hitting double figures in the league. Sam Greenwood, contributor of five, also moved on while Brad Potts - who tends to chip in with his fair share - was sidelined for a lengthy period.

Those concerns were somewhat eased over August, with the double loan swoop for Alfie Devine and Lewis Dobbin. And how time has told since then, with the pair playing a central role in boosting Preston’s goal threat as a team. Devine’s league numbers (3G 1A) don’t quite reflect the value he has added but for Dobbin, five goals - all non-penalties - and four assists is an eye-catching effort.

A word for Daniel Jebbison, too. The Canadian has endured some injury frustration but has three goals and two assists to his name. Michael Smith and Thierry Small have both found the net on three occasions each, on top of the four scored by last season’s top scorer across all competitions, Milutin Osmajic.

It looked like there might be a great weight on the Montenegrin’s shoulders to score Preston’s goals this season, but this is a squad sharing the load nicely. North End are 14th for xG (21.7) but eighth for goals scored (25) - maintaining that clinical edge will be key but it’s not an unrealistic challenge.

Mads Frokjaer scored his second goal last time out and with finishes of that calibre up his sleeve, the Dane must aim for his best scoring season at Preston. On the eye, PNE have resembled a side with threat and goals in them. They are not perfect but, undoubtedly, a more entertaining, engaging watch than previous seasons. Home or away, you feel the Lilywhites can find those moments.

All players mentioned deserve credit for how they’ve chipped in and the variety of traits they’ve brought to the table. The output of Dobbin in particular, though, ought to be highlighted. Nine goal contributions in 14 league appearances is no mean feat and a further advert for the quality which can be found via the loan market.

Dobbin isn’t the finished article; if he was he’d be playing at a higher level. But he brings attributes which make him a dangerous operator in the final third: speed, dribbling, finishing. Playing for a manager who appears to be managing him efficiently, Dobbin has seized the opportunity given to him by Preston, on the back of an encouraging stint at Norwich last season.

He clearly has a knack of assisting and scoring goals, something PNE have dearly missed in many recent campaigns. They are different profiles but Callum Robinson comes to mind with Dobbin. Like the former fan favourite, Dobbin won’t always look as though he’s having the greatest game. But he will always be trying things and, at any given moment, could come up with the goods for North End.

Those players make the difference and have to be embraced. Together with Devine, North End have two technically sharp attackers who not only add creativity and flair, but work their socks off and understand the game. If Heckingbottom’s men are to fulfill the potential this season seems to have, you can count on the pair being instrumental. Keeping them fit and firing is essential.

The former Plymouth Argyle and Port Vale man is on loan at PNE for the season

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Alfie Devine is becoming more robust in the eyes of Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom.

The Lilywhites secured the loan signing of the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder in the summer, after his loan spell at Belgian club Westerlo caught Heckingbottom’s eye. Devine has featured regularly in the PNE starting lineup, scoring three goals and assisting two across all competitions.

He has been a key cog in a Preston side that, after 18 games, sits fifth in the table. In North End’s most recent victory - at Sheffield Wednesday - Devine dropped into a deeper role during the second half as PNE came from behind to win. That flexibility is something Preston’s boss highlighted upon the arrival of Devine.

“Yeah, good,” said Heckingbottom. “Listen, I like Alfie. I like him a lot. I like him as a lad, certainly as a footballer. I still want to challenge him to be better. He's got fitter. Little things I want to change about everything he does... I think he's looked stronger the last three games.

“More and more, little things we do after games: how he recovers, how he prepares. This is a big jump. Like I’ve said, I saw lots of things in his last loan last season which I liked and thought, ‘Yeah, it would be great if we could get Alfie’.

“But this league's totally different to where he was playing last year. He felt that and he realises that. But I know the last three games there, 90 minutes, 90 minutes, 90 minutes, he’s looking stronger as the game's gone on. He's adapting and he's doing the things that's required to give yourself that chance to be able to perform.”