Celtic Target Tottenham Midfielder Alfie Devine – Glasgow 2026

Key Points

• Celtic are interested in signing Tottenham Hotspur’s 21-year-old midfielder Alfie Devine
• Devine has one year remaining on his Tottenham contract, which expires June 2027
• The midfielder was on loan at Preston North End during the 2025-26 Championship season
• Devine scored eight goals and provided six assists for Preston last season
• Preston North End hold an option to buy Devine for £4.5 million to £6 million
• Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neill was spotted watching Devine at Preston vs QPR
• Journalist Pete O’Rourke revealed O’Neill’s interest on the Transfer Insider podcast
• Premier League clubs are also increasing interest in the 21-year-old
• Personal terms between Devine and Preston have reportedly been agreed, but the player can reject the deal
• Preston’s £4.5m option expires at end of June, allowing other clubs to make offers from 1 July

Glasgow (Glasgow Express) June 1, 2026 – Celtic are preparing to battle EFL sides for the signature of Tottenham Hotspur’s promising 21-year-old midfielder Alfie Devine, marking a significant transfer development that could reshape the Scottish champions’ midfield options for the upcoming season.

Why Is Celtic Interested in Tottenham’s Alfie Devine?

As reported by Pete O’Rourke on the Transfer Insider podcast, interim Celtic manager Martin O’Neill was in attendance at Preston vs QPR specifically to watch Devine ahead of a potential summer move.

“It was interesting that Martin O’Neill was there watching, I am sure he was watching a number of players. From what I am hearing, it might have been Alfie Devine, the young midfielder who is having a very good season for Preston in midfield, on loan from Tottenham,”

O’Rourke stated.

Devine’s impressive Championship campaign has caught Celtic’s attention. The attacking midfielder managed eight goals during his loan spell at Preston North End, including a brace against Stoke City. He also registered a 7.1 FotMob rating after providing an assist in his side’s 1-1 draw with QPR, where O’Neill was spotted in attendance.

What Are Preston North End’s Plans for Devine?

Preston North End hold a significant advantage in the race for Devine as they possess an option to buy him permanently. According to Football Insider reporting, Preston has an option to buy Devine for £4.5 million, with some sources indicating the figure could reach £6 million.

This would represent double Preston’s previous record transfer fee, as the club’s most expensive signing historically was Milutin Osmajic at £2.1 million.

As revealed by Alan Nixon via his Patreon account and shared with Lancashire sources,

“Personal terms have already been agreed, though Devine is free to decline the deal if he doesn’t feel it fits into his best interests”.

Nixon further explained that Preston’s £4.5m agreement with Tottenham will expire at the end of June when his loan stint draws to a close, allowing other clubs to make offers for the youngster from 1 July onwards.

Which Other Clubs Are Competing for Devine’s Signature?

While Celtic continue monitoring the 21-year-old, competition is intensifying. As reported by Football Insider, “competition for Devine is only increasing, with Premier League clubs also interested, which is no surprise given his displays this campaign”. LiveScore Daily News confirmed that

“Celtic and Wolves are tracking Spurs midfielder Alfie Devine”.

LiveScore also reported that “Spurs may seek a higher fee amid strong interest”. Football Insider 247 noted that

“Celtic could exploit hesitation from Preston North End in order to seal a deal for Tottenham starlet Alfie Devine this summer”.

What Does Devine’s Contract Situation Look Like?

The contractual landscape adds complexity to the transfer situation. As confirmed by Tottenham Hotspur’s official announcement,

“Alfie Devine has officially extended his contract with Tottenham Hotspur, ensuring his stay at the club until June 2027”.

BBC Sport reported that

“Tottenham’s rising star Alfie Devine has secured his future with the club by agreeing to a new deal that extends until 2027”.

However, some sources indicate Devine has “one year left on his deal” as of June 2026, suggesting the contract may expire June 2027. This means Spurs retain negotiation leverage, though the player’s willingness to move becomes crucial.

How Has Devine Performed During His Loan at Preston?

Devine’s 2025-26 season at Preston North End has been notably successful. The Analyst reported that Devine

“has played in the vast majority of the team’s Championship matches in 2025/2026, making 45 appearances overall and accumulating 3,122 minutes of playing time”.

The midfielder

“has scored eight Championship goals this season”.

This follows his previous loan experience at Westerlo in Belgium’s First Division A, where in last season’s campaign, “Devine appeared in 30 games for Westerlo, scored six goals and provided one assist”. Tottenham’s official club news confirmed that

“On-loan Alfie Devine scored the only goal of the game to hand Preston North End a 1-0 home win over Portsmouth on Saturday”.

What Did Journalists Report About O’Neill’s Scouts?

Multiple media outlets have covered Martin O’Neill’s scouting activity. The Hard Tackle reported that

“Celtic are keen to explore a move for Alfie Devine after Martin O’Neill was in attendance to watch the midfielder in action for Preston North End”.

The outlet added that

“As per Football Insider, Martin O’Neill was in attendance to watch the on-loan Tottenham midfielder in action for Preston, which has fuelled speculation about a potential move in the close season”.

Footballleagueworld.co.uk noted that

“O’Rourke’s sources indicated that Alfie Devine was the ‘focus of attention'”

during O’Neill’s scouting visit. The 4th Official reported that

“journalist Pete O’Rourke revealed that interim Celtic manager Martin O’Neill was keen to watch the rising midfield prospect Alfie Devine ahead of a potential summer transfer”.

Why Might Devine Not Join Preston Despite the Option?

Alasdair Gold has revealed specific reasons why Devine might not join Preston permanently. According to Spurs-web reporting, Gold explained that

“Devine might not join Preston, one reason being that the 21-year-old will have to be fully on board with a move for a deal to go through”.

Additionally,

“Preston will be spending a significant amount, one they have never spent, if they are to sign him”.

This financial consideration is significant given Preston’s spending history. Deepdale Digest reported that

“Preston aren’t known as big spenders, and have yet to even break the £2million barrier for a signing in the club’s history”.

Background of the Development

This transfer situation emerged from Celtic’s active scouting of English Championship players during the 2025-26 season. Martin O’Neill’s appointment as interim Celtic manager prompted immediate interest in identifying midfield reinforcements.

The development gained traction after O’Neill’s attendance at Preston vs QPR in April 2026, which was first reported by Football Insider on April 11, 2026.

The Glasgow Times broke the story titled

“Celtic set to battle EFL sides for Premier League youngster”

on May 31, 2026, confirming Celtic’s formal interest . The timing coincides with Preston’s loan option expiring at the end of June 2026, creating a competitive window for multiple clubs.

Tottenham’s strategy of loaning young players for development is evident in Devine’s case, following similar patterns with other youngsters like Mikey Moore, who reportedly performed well in Scotland. The club has maintained Devine’s contract until 2027 despite loan moves, preserving their asset value.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Celtic Fans and Supporters

The potential signing of Alfie Devine could significantly impact Celtic’s midfield capabilities for the 2026-27 season. For Celtic supporters, acquiring a 21-year-old midfielder with eight Championship goals and six assists represents an opportunity to secure young talent with Premier League pedigree before his value increases further.

If Celtic successfully sign Devine, fans can expect enhanced midfield creativity and goal-scoring threat from central positions. His 3,122 minutes of Championship playing time demonstrates fitness and consistency at a competitive level. The £4.5 million to £6 million fee would be substantial for Celtic but represents value compared to signing established Premier League players.

However, competition from Premier League clubs including Wolves means Celtic may face bidding pressure that could inflate the final transfer fee. Preston’s first-mover advantage with their existing option and agreed personal terms creates a significant hurdle.

For Glasgow supporters, the timeline is critical. With Preston’s option expiring at the end of June 2026, Celtic must act before July 1 when the transfer market opens for direct offers. Delays in decision-making could allow Premier League clubs to outbid Celtic, as they have greater financial resources.

The development also affects Celtic’s squad planning strategy. Securing Devine would align with the club’s pattern of developing young talent, similar to their approach with other prospects. Failure to sign him could force Celtic to pursue alternative midfield options, potentially at higher costs or with less proven Championship performance.

Celtic fans should monitor official club announcements through June 2026, as the transfer window decisions will directly impact the team’s competitive positioning for the upcoming Scottish Premiership season and European competitions.