Celtic reportedly have Alfie Devine on their shortlist ahead of the summer.
Despite the lack of clarity over the identity of Celtic’s next manager this season, recruitment work is underway, being fronted by Shaun Maloney.
Many expect a significant rebuild at Parkhead this summer, with a number of big earners in the first team expected to depart.
So could Devine be the kind of player to build the team around this summer?
Is Alfie Devine the kind of player you want to see Celtic sign?
Alfie Devine linked with Celtic ahead of Tottenham return
Devine is on Celtic’s shortlist ahead of the summer per The Scotsman, with his loan at Preston North End now over.
The 21-year-old midfielder is entering the final year of his contract with Tottenham.
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What state is Celtic’s midfield in? Who needs to stay and who needs to go?
Last month, interim boss Martin O’Neill was in attendance at Deepdale for Preston’s 1-1 draw with QPR. He said that his long-standing relationship with Preston director Peter Ridsdale was the reason for the visit.
However, this is called into question by the Devine reports, especially given that coach Mark Fotheringham was alongside him.
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.
It’s unclear whether the Hoops would pursue a permanent or loan move for Devine. A loan with an option could be the move, given it’s how they brought Cameron Carter-Vickers to Glasgow from Spurs in 2021.
Both Arne Engels and Benjamin Nygren have been linked with moves away from Celtic, creating a potential necessity for midfield reinforcements.
Reo Hatate and Paulo Bernardo also look to be coming to the end of their careers in Glasgow.
What state is Celtic’s midfield in? Who needs to stay and who needs to go?
Martin O’Neill on mammoth Celtic rebuild
Discussing the upcoming rebuild last week, O’Neill said: “We will have to try and act relatively quickly on players.
“On the larger picture, yeah, I’m looking at this minute at players, but it is strange, because I’m more focused on the matches here.
“So, if you’ve got a spare hour, the scouts are in there, they’re looking at a lot of things, which they should be doing anyway.
“This is the point. Let’s say somebody steps in during the first week of June or something, then [the scouts] should be able to put a lot of this forward to him and say, ‘This is what we’re doing, this is the general consensus that these players are really good’.
“And then it’s up to him to have a look at these players and see.”
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