The Scottish Premiership champions have reportedly kicked their summer transfer activity into overdrive, tracking a highly-rated 21-year-old midfield maestro from North London.
The player at the center of this developing transfer saga is Tottenham Hotspur’s Alfie Devine.
The talented young playmaker has been a long-term target for the Hoops, who have kept close tabs on his development since his impressive loan spells last season. With Spurs signal-posting that they are ready to monetize their academy product on a permanent basis this summer, Celtic are positioning themselves to win the race for his signature.
The Expired Deadline That Changed Everything
Devine spent the 2025–26 campaign on loan at Championship side Preston North End, where he enjoyed a breakthrough year, netting eight goals and providing six assists across 45 appearances. His dazzling performances at Deepdale made him a massive fan favorite and earned him Preston’s Young Player of the Year award.
As part of the initial loan agreement between Tottenham and the Lilywhites, a future fee clause worth £6 million was heavily negotiated. Preston were thoroughly convinced by Devine’s quality and actively sought to trigger that permanent option to break their club transfer record.
However, multiple reports from down south indicate that the clause carried a strict July 1 deadline—a date that has now officially passed without a finalized agreement.
Why the Deal Collapsed at Deepdale:
- Strict Timelines: The passing of the midnight deadline on July 1 threw Preston’s exclusive rights out the window.
- Financial Hurdle: The £6m fee would represent double Preston’s record transfer payout, causing architectural delays in their budget allocation.
- A Window of Opportunity: The moment the option lapsed, it allowed Celtic’s recruitment team to swoop back into active conversations with Daniel Levy and the Tottenham board.
Midfield Traffic Jam in North London
While Devine’s stock has never been higher outside of London, his path into the Tottenham first team has become completely blocked under manager Roberto De Zerbi. Spurs have been exceptionally aggressive in the current transfer market, reshaping their engine room with elite-level talent.
Tottenham recently secured the signing of Mateus Fernandes from West Ham, while simultaneously closing in on a blockbuster, headline-grabbing £100 million switch for Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United.
Potential Tottenham Midfield Hierarchy (2026/27)
- Sandro Tonali (£100m Target)
- Rodrigo Bentancur
- Mateus Fernandes (New Signing)
- Lucas Bergvall
With established names like Rodrigo Bentancur and rising stars like Lucas Bergvall already ahead of Devine in the pecking order, the 21-year-old would likely find himself starved of minutes if he remained at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Consequently, De Zerbi is understood to be completely willing to part ways with the England youth international, allowing the club to bank a healthy chunk of pure profit on an academy graduate.
Why Celtic are Pushing for Devine
Celtic’s interest in Devine isn’t a knee-jerk reaction to the Preston breakdown. The Hoops have a clear long-term scouting profile on the midfielder. Notably, Celtic icon Martin O’Neill is said to be an enormous admirer of Devine’s technical skillset, highlighting his unique ability to unlock stubborn, low-block defenses.
Tactical Assets Devine Brings to Glasgow:
- Versatility: Comfortable playing as an advanced number 8, a traditional central midfielder, or out wide in a fluid front three.
- Goal Threat from Deep: An instinctual ability to arrive late in the penalty area, a trait famously praised by former manager José Mourinho during Devine’s early days at Spurs.
- Set-Piece Specialism: Exceptional delivery from corners and crossing scenarios, adding vital ammunition to Celtic’s attacking routines.
The Transfer Battle Ahead
While Celtic are accelerating their talks, securing Devine’s signature will not be a straightforward free run. Despite their agonizing relegation to the EFL Championship last season, Wolves are reportedly heavily interested in bringing Devine to Molineux.
Wolves view the midfielder as a crucial cornerstone for an immediate promotion charge back to the top flight. However, Celtic hold a massive trump card that the Midlands club cannot match: the guaranteed allure of Champions League football and the opportunity to compete regularly for major silverware in front of 60,000 fans at Celtic Park.
Why Celtic have the edge: With a £6 million benchmark clearly established by the lapsed Preston clause, the ball is firmly in Celtic’s court. If the Parkhead board matches Tottenham’s valuation and presents a convincing development project to the player, Alfie Devine could very well be the next marquee addition to pull on the green and white hoops this summer.