CELTIC ARE COMING FOR A TOTTENHAM STAR — AND THE HOOPS ARE READY TO NEGOTIATE DIRECTLY WITH SPURS OVER A MOVE THAT COULD SHAKE THE WINDOW
Celtic’s summer business is far from done, and Martin O’Neill has his eyes on a familiar face from the English game.
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Alfie Devine has been on Celtic’s radar for a while now, with the Hoops continuing to monitor the 21-year-old as they assess options to strengthen their midfield options ahead of the new campaign.
Devine spent last season on loan at Preston North End, where he caught the attention of O’Neill himself. The Celtic boss made a trip to watch Preston take on QPR in the Championship, and Devine was understood to be one of the players he was there to see. That kind of personal scouting trip tells you everything you need to know about how seriously Celtic are taking this one.
The midfielder had a strong season at Deepdale. He netted eight goals and contributed eight assists during his loan spell, making a real case for himself as someone capable of stepping up to a higher level. For a player who has been shuffled around on loans for a few years now, those numbers represent his best return to date and they haven’t gone unnoticed.
So what happens next? That depends on Preston.
The Championship club hold an option to sign Devine permanently, with the agreed clause understood to be worth £4.5 million, potentially rising to £6 million through add-ons. If Preston trigger that option, the road to Celtic is blocked. But if they don’t complete the deal, Celtic would need to negotiate a fresh transfer fee directly with Tottenham.
That’s the key detail here. Celtic’s route into this deal runs through Spurs, and it only opens up if Preston walk away. Reports suggest Preston have moved to trigger their purchase option, but the player still has a say in the matter. Discussions between club and player are expected, and Devine is understood to be in no rush to make a decision.
That window of uncertainty is exactly what Celtic are counting on.
Relegated Wolves have also been credited with interest in the player, so Celtic won’t have it easy even if Preston step aside. Devine is said to have more suitors, though no formal offers were on the table at the time of the latest reports.
From a Celtic perspective, the logic of this move is clear. O’Neill is building a squad that can handle multiple competitions, and Devine fits the profile of a dynamic, technically sharp midfielder who can play in tight spaces and contribute at both ends of the pitch. His Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom described him as someone who “gets the game” and is “tactically good,” adding that he can have a big impact on any team he joins.
At 21, Devine is still developing. But the talent is obvious, and Celtic clearly believe he can thrive in the Scottish Premiership and beyond.
Whether they get the chance to prove it comes down to what Preston decide to do, and whether Devine himself fancies a move to Glasgow. The ball is in motion though, and Celtic are ready to pounce.
About the Author
