Lancashire Evening Post

The Lilywhites have paid £6million to sign the midfielder from Tottenham Hotspur

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Delight, amazement, curiosity... Preston North End's permanent signing of Alfie Devine sparked all kinds of emotions this week.

Of course, the overwhelming one was joy. Shock wasn't that far behind, though, because if we are honest this just does not happen. You could forgive anyone who never expected to see Devine in the white and blue of Preston once again.

Maybe loan players can fill your heart instead of break it, after all. Watching him play in the number seven shirt should be a genuinely brilliant thing; someone with undoubted class, a good head on his shoulders and scope to get better and better.

In this day and age the transfer fee isn't remotely excessive but by Preston's standards it is staggering. With that, expectation on Devine will rise, though he doesn't strike you as someone who will be affected - and the Deepdale faithful will surely back him to the hilt.

In manager Paul Heckingbottom - who believes in him greatly - he has a great mentor. The goal for all involved is to now make Devine one of the best midfielders in the Championship. That ceiling is not too high.

PNE’s boss was pleading for the club to push the boat out with a transfer, in order to give them any chance of player trading. He will now feel backed, and responsible for taking Devine to the next level. Heckingbottom will be confident in doing so.

Devine knows he will be given the platform to perform, week-in week-out. Which, perhaps, was at the forefront of his mind all along: go and be the star at a place I’m adored. We also learned just how important home, family and friends were to the 21-year-old.

Nowadays, it is utterly refreshing to see a player follow their heart in those respects. Devine will be paid handsomely at Preston but he almost certainly could've earned more money elsewhere. To not run towards that is admirable.

It's not only that which makes the move a surprise. Some of the biggest clubs in the Championship - who will be favourites to go up - were linked with Devine. There was strongly reported interest from Celtic: a mammoth football club.

Nobody knows how long Devine will be around but his return is quite surreal and ought to be celebrated. Now, the task will be to achieve success with him at the heart of it, or generate a sizable sale in the future.

As positive as the news is, there is still plenty of work for PNE to do. The midfielder is only the second addition of the summer, after the arrival of back-up goalkeeper Lee Nicholls. That in itself makes Devine’s choice even more interesting. Has he been informed of plans for the rest of the transfer window?

So often last season, it was him and Dobbin - a combination which would require a miracle to recreate for the 2026/27 campaign. Therefore, attacking reinforcements are a must; no doubt they are being eagerly chased as we speak.

Bringing Devine back to the club is a huge forward step and could, in time, be looked back on as a moment of great significance. For now, though, there's even more incentive to go and finish the recruitment job off, to give him - and Preston - the best chance of flourishing.

PNE have signed the Tottenham Hotspur man on a permanent deal

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Tottenham Hotspur will receive 20 per cent of any profit Preston North End make on Alfie Devine, according to reports.

Following the midfielder’s club-record move back to Deepdale, on a permanent basis, Mail Sport report that Spurs have inserted a sell-on clause in the agreement. Devine tripled PNE’s previous transfer record, with the fee believed to be worth up to £6million.

North End will pay that in installments - over three years it is thought - with Devine putting pen-to-paper on a five-year contract and taking the number seven shirt. As part of the announcement, Preston CEO Peter Ridsdale paid particular thanks to the ownership.

He said: “I would like to go on record to thank The Hemmings' family for the unbelievable financial commitment in allowing us to get this deal over the line, in addition to the investment in the new hybrid Desso pitch at Deepdale.

"I would also like to thank Tottenham Hotspur for the way in which they have handled this transfer. It has been a pleasure working with everyone connected with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.”

Why did Devine return?

As reported by the Lancashire Post, the 21-year-old attracted interest from the likes of Celtic, Wolves, Southampton and Burnley over the summer. With more money potentially on offer elsewhere, what convinced Devine to come back to Deepdale?

When asked about it by in-house media, he said: “I think you could just tell last year how much I loved it here. From the first minute I came here to my last minute when I played last season, I absolutely loved it.

“The fans, staff, players, everyone around the place made me feel so welcome and then throughout the season, for me it felt like the perfect loan move at the time. And then, it was that perfect where I had to make it permanent.”

He has signed from Tottenham Hotspur on a five-year deal.

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Preston North End have completed the signing of Alfie Devine from Tottenham Hotspur for a club-record fee.

Devine, who spent last season on loan at PNE, has joined on a permanent basis for a fee believed to be in the region of £6m, almost triple that of the club’s previous record signing, Callum Lang.

It was well documented that there was an option in the loan agreement to make the transfer permanent. North End exercised that option and have fought off interest from a host of clubs to secure Devine’s signature. He has signed a five-year contract at Deepdale and will wear the number 7 shirt.

Upon signing, Alfie Devine said: “From the end of last season going into the summer, it was always a priority in terms of where I wanted to be. It took its time, but I'm delighted it's gone through.

“From the first minute I came here until my last minute of last season, I absolutely loved it. The fans, staff, players, everyone around the place made me feel so welcome.”

Manager Paul Heckingbottom added: “I’m really pleased to get it over the line. A lot of people have worked hard at it, and Alfie made no secret of the fact that he enjoyed his time here and wanted to play here.

“We think that it's good business, not only in the short term and helping us get results on the pitch, but it's also really good business for the football club as well.”

Preston North End CEO Peter Ridsdale said: “I would like to go on record to thank Craig Hemmings and his family for the unbelievable financial commitment in allowing us to get this deal over the line, in addition to the investment in the new hybrid Deso pitch at Deepdale.

“I would also like to thank Tottenham Hotspur for the way in which they have handled this transfer. It has been a pleasure working with everyone connected with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.”

The Tottenham Hotspur loan man provided 16 goal contributions for PNE last season

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Preston North End are closing in on the permanent signing of Alfie Devine, the Lancashire Post understands.

The Lilywhites have been pursuing the signature of the Tottenham Hotspur man all summer, following his impressive loan spell last season. It is believed the 21-year-old has now agreed to join PNE amid fierce competition from other clubs.

It is a move which would see North End smash their previous transfer record, with Devine’s buy-option thought to be in the region of £6million. Preston activated their option in early June and while there were a handful of false dawns in recent weeks, they remained in discussions.

The Deepdale outfit will spread the transfer fee over a few years after fending off interest from Celtic, Wolves, Southampton and even Lancashire rivals, Burnley. Devine is believed to have pushed for a return to the Lilywhites.

Last season was the former England youth international’s fourth loan move away from Spurs, as he made 48 appearances across all competitions and scored eight goals. PNE boss Paul Heckingbottom had made it crystal clear he wanted to bring Devine back.

When the 21-year-old was asked about it in April, he said: “I know that I'll be pushing for the thing that will probably 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.”

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.

The Tottenham Hotspur man had a productive 2025/26 season at Deepdale

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Preston North End activated their option to buy Alfie Devine in late May but a deal has not been concluded yet.

As reported, the fee is understood to be around the £6million mark - which would see PNE triple their current transfer record.

That figure is not expected to change after July 1, though North End do have until then to wrap up the overall deal - implying personal terms may need renegotiating.

The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder was a stand out performer for the Lilywhites last season, scoring eight goals and assisting as many across 48 appearances.

Since the 2025/26 campaign concluded, Championship interest in Devine has not been in short supply, while links to Celtic have also surfaced.

When asked, in May, if he expects Preston to do all they can to sign the midfielder this summer, manager Paul Heckingbottom simply replied: ‘Yeah’.

He added: “He's someone who can have big impact for a team. He gets the game, he's tactically good, he's bright.

“He might not talk to anyone until they talk to him about football; then he's engaged. He's willing to do the work without the ball.

“He's learning more about himself and he's managed himself, in games, to stay integrated. I think he's made big improvements and I think he'll improve again.”

The Spurs man was spotted in fitness training with AFC Bournemouth star and close friend, Alex Scott, over in Guernsey last week.

The Tottenham Hotspur man had a successful loan spell at Deepdale last season

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Preston North End have activated their option-to-buy Alfie Devine and now face crunch talks with the player, the Lancashire Post understands.

The midfielder spent last season on loan with the Lilywhites and had a strong individual campaign, scoring eight goals and assisting as many, across 48 appearances. PNE inserted a buy-option in the loan agreement with Spurs, and personal terms were said to have been pre-agreed.

The fee is thought to be in excess of £5million. North End plan to spread their payments but it would still see the club more than double its transfer record. However, Devine still has the final say on any move this summer and while discussions are scheduled for next week, he is under no pressure to rush into a decision.

Relegated Wolves have been credited with interest in the 21-year-old - as have Scottish Premiership champions, Celtic. Devine is believed to have more suitors - including others in the second tier - but no offers on the table at this stage. PNE boss Paul Heckingbottom stressed that the club must try to bring last season’s loan stars back if possible.

He was strong on Devine, simply replying, ‘Yeah’, when asked if he expects North End to do all they can to sign him. The former Plymouth Argyle loanee caught Heckingbottom’s eye while playing on loan in Belgium two seasons ago, for Westerlo, and he has made his belief in the player crystal clear.

When asked about his future, Devine said towards the end of the season: “I know that I will be pushing for the thing that will be the best for me and what I want for myself, not what other people will want for me. I will be sure to pick something that is right for me and if that takes time, then it takes time.”

The Premier League season concludes on Sunday

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Tottenham Hotspur’s fight for Premier League survival will be closely followed by Preston North End supporters.

The Lilywhites have an option-to-buy Alfie Devine from Spurs this summer, for a fee in the region of £4.5million. That would see PNE double their transfer record but reports have suggested that North End hope to agree a payment plan and deal with Tottenham.

Relegated Wolves are thought to be keen on Devine while Celtic have also been mentioned as possible suitors. Preston have the option inserted and personal terms have been agreed as well, but the player will still have the final say on any move.

And Spurs being relegated could deal a huge blow to any hopes, though they do go into the final day out of the drop zone. One of Tottenham (38pts) or West Ham (36pts) will fall into the Championship on Sunday.

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Spurs host Everton while West Ham host Leeds. Lilywhites boss Paul Heckingbottom has put pressure on PNE to try and bring their loan stars back next season, with him expecting the club to do all they can to sign Devine.

The midfielder was a mainstay in the side and only spoke highly of his time at Deepdale, while highlighting the benefit of being close to home again. The 21-year-old assured he will be at the forefront of any decision this summer.

“What next season will look like, I cannot really tell you,” he said last month. “But I know that I will be pushing for the thing that will be the best for me and what I want for myself, not what other people will want for me.

“There is obviously the buy option in the loan and stuff. It is hard to say whether that will happen because in football things change so fast. I will be sure to pick something that is right for me and if that takes time, then it takes time.”

PNE finished 14th in the Championship

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Former Preston North End goalkeeper Alan Kelly Jnr would not hesitate about spending a significant sum on Alfie Devine.

The future of the Tottenham Hotspur man will be a key focus over the summer, following his excellent loan spell at Deepdale. PNE have an option-to-buy the midfielder for a fee thought to be in the region of £4.5million.

While personal terms and the structure of a deal are already agreed, Devine will still have the final say on his future. But, if Preston can afford the transfer fee then Kelly Jnr views it as a no brainer given his talent and influence on the side.

“Yeah, it depends how you look at it,” he told the Lancashire Post. “If you look at the squad as a whole, some experienced lads in there, the sprinkling of youth. But then you look at Devine and you look at game changers... you look at what he can bring to you.

“One, as the manager. Two, as a club to excite the fans. Three, publicly, in terms of looking to compete. I'm only going off what I read, maybe £4million... would you put your whole budget on Devine? That's the question that everybody asks.

“For me, I would. For what he brings to the side and what he's shown, I think he started 36 games but played 43. So, he was one of the major, key players of last season and one of the major players in that first half of the season. What you're saying is, ‘I put trust in you, we want to build around you’.

“I think Paul's probably on about that process of building a team that is ours, and we're not saying, ‘Thank you very much for loaning us a player’. It's like anything, if you don't get the foundations right and then it starts to crumble, everything falls down.”

Jebbison reunion?

Manager Paul Heckingbottom said towards the end of the season that he’d like to try and bring all loan players back. While Lewis Dobbin will probably prove out of reach given the attacking numbers he produced, Jebbison may be a more realistic target. He had a mixed season but his relationship with Heckingbottom is strong, while fans took to the number nine. Kelly Jnr feels there is clear potential with the Canadian.

“Yeah, again I would show him after every game, every clip of what he's done well and say, ‘In this situation, this is what I want from you.” said Kelly Jnr. “Obviously, Paul is telling him that because he chipped in.

“You look at Dobbin, Jebbison, Devine, pretty much that's your goal tally all from loan players. That's what the worry would be for every fan now, that if you lose those three loan players you're taking out a massive goal/assist base from your team.

“But I think Jebbison is maturing and within that, he's still learning the game. I think he's got to work out what works for him. He's got his physicality, he's got his size, he's got his speed. I think his finishing can be better at times. Towards the back of the season, I think he had a couple of headers that went wide at critical times.

“But, he was in the right place. There's the relationship with the manager, who feels he can get the best out of him. So yeah, nobody knows what's going to happen with Osmajic; he only had 20 starts this season. But, he's coming from a Premier League team and what's that going to cost?”

He had an excellent loan spell at PNE in the 2025/26 season

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Alfie Devine’s immediate future will be a primary focus for Preston North End supporters this summer.

The Deepdale faithful watched the midfielder have a terrific season on loan with the Lilywhites, from Tottenham Hotspur. Devine endeared himself to the fans, scoring eight goals and assisting as many.

Now, attention turns to where he will be playing his football next season. PNE’s option-to-buy the midfielder has been well documented. North End will have a specified period to exercise that in the summer.

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As communicated by Preston CEO Peter Ridsdale, personal terms have already been agreed with the player. However, that is the framework of a potential deal and Devine is not obliged to accept the move if he doesn’t want to.

Now, journalist Alan Nixon has reported that PNE hope to agree a deal with Spurs, with the £4.5million fee spread over a number of years. North End’s budget is said to be ‘restricted’ but a payment plan could make a deal possible.

Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom made his stance clear after the last game of the season, simply replying, ‘Yeah’, when asked if he expects PNE to do everything they can to sign Devine permanently.

One thing that does bode well for Preston is Tottenham Hotspur’s increased chances of survival. However, relegated Wolves are believed to be big admirers of Devine’s. There have also been reports of Celtic potentially making a move.

Discussing his future last month, the player himself said: “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.”

“He’ll improve again.”

Heckingbottom pushed to bring Devine to the club last August, after being impressed by his loan spell in Belgium with Westerlo. The midfielder was trusted all season long and carried out a variety of roles for the team.

“He's someone who can have big impact to a team,” Heckingbottom told the Lancashire Post after the final day. “He gets the game, he's tactically good, he's bright. He might not talk to anyone until they talk to him about football; then he's engaged.

“He's a football fan, he understands it... from a coach's point of view it's good. He's willing to do the work without the ball. He's learning more about himself and he's managed himself, in games, to stay integrated - it can't just be when you're on the ball. So yeah, I think he's made big improvements and I think he'll improve again.”