Preston North End have reportedly activated their option to buy Alfie Devine.
On loan at Deepdale from Tottenham, Devine is wanted by Celtic and several other clubs, leaving him with a decision to make this summer.
He is highly-rated in England and unlikely to come cheap. He featured in all but one of Preston’s 46 Championship games this season.
But with Celtic likely to face a major reshuffle in the midfield this summer, the 21-year-old could be a worthwhile investment.
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Preston activate £5m+ option to buy Alfie Devine, player to have final say
According to the Lancashire Post, the option has been activated by Preston and is thought to be worth more than £5 million.
However, the player will make the final decision on his future, and is yet to commit to PNE.
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Devine is reportedly on Celtic’s shortlist ahead of the summer, with background work being done on the England youth international.
In April, interim Parkhead boss Martin O’Neill was in attendance at Deepdale for Preston’s clash with QPR, though he said that his long-standing relationship with their director Peter Ridsdale was the reason for the visit.
Speculation persisted though, especially given that assistant Mark Fotheringham was alongside him in the stands.
Devine is Spurs’ youngest-ever player and goalscorer, achieving both at the age of 16 in an FA Cup tie against Marine in 2021.
He has proven a success story of the club’s policy of loaning players out, excelling in spells at Leyton Orient and KVC Westerlo prior to his time at Preston.
He is about to enter the final year of his contract with Spurs, so is unlikely to be there come the end of this summer’s transfer window.
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Midfielders expected to leave Celtic this summer
After serious interest in January, Arne Engels is now expected to leave Celtic, with a host of European clubs chasing the 22-year-old.
Reo Hatate was left out of the matchday squad for the final two games of the season, with the writing seemingly on the wall regarding his future. Paulo Bernardo is also completely out of favour.
A stellar debut season by Benjamin Nygren is also generating interest, and a rapid exit hasn’t been ruled out for the Hoops’ top scorer.
Even captain Callum McGregor hasn’t ruled out an exit, whilst Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s contract is now up.
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