Preston North End set to beat Millwall & Sheffield United to Tottenham transfer swoop | OneFootball

Preston North End are homing in on their 10th signing of the summer

Preston North End are set to sign Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder Alfie Devine on loan.

Paul Heckingbottom's side are gearing up for a trip to QPR on August 9 to get their 2025/26 Championship campaign underway.

The Lilywhites came perilously close to relegation last term and will want to avoid a similar scenario come next May, but their transfer progress has stalled in recent weeks - that is about to change however.

Preston North End homing in on Alfie Devine signing

North End supporters have been crying out for some more talent in forward areas, following the departure of Emil Riis and the culmination of Sam Greenwood’s loan.

Their wishes have been granted, with PNE set to make their 10th signing of the summer window.

As per the Lancashire Post, the Lilywhites are close to completing a move for Tottenham Hotspur talent Devine.

The 21-year-old has previously been linked with transfers to Millwall and Sheffield United this summer, but Preston seem to have emerged as victors in the hunt for his signature.

It’s believed that an option to make the switch permanent could be included in the deal, but that’s yet to be confirmed - Alan Nixon reported earlier in the summer that Tottenham wanted in the region of £6 million to sell the Warrington-born man.

Devine has previously enjoyed loan spells with Port Vale in League One and Plymouth Argyle in the Championship.

The Tottenham prospect spent last term with Belgian Pro League side Westerlo, netting six goals whilst on the continent.

New Spurs boss Thomas Frank played Devine in pre-season but is willing to let the youngster gain more experience outside of North London.

Preston North End’s move for Alfie Devine could end up paying dividends

Tension was beginning to heighten throughout the PNE fanbase ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, with supporters fearing that the Lancashire outfit didn’t have enough attacking quality.

A bid for Richard Koné was recently turned down by Wycombe Wanderers, as per the BBC, and it looked like North End may have to settle for what they’ve already got.

Attacking midfield was a particularly scarce area, with just Mads Frokjaer currently fitting that bill. Heckingbottom has experimented with Brad Potts in more offensive areas, but the 31-year-old can’t be relied upon as a consistent creator.

However, the signing of Devine is likely to please the Lilywhites’ faithful, who now have another young, exciting talent to cheer on at Deepdale.

North End has provided a temporary home to various young prospects over the past few years, with stars such as Álvaro Fernández, Tom Cannon and Kaine Kesler-Hayden all developing massively during their time with PNE.

If, after 46 games, Devine is talked about in the same breath as that trio, Heckingbottom and Co. will have pulled off a serious transfer coup.

A potential option to make the move permanent sweetens things further, with North End fans always keen to make sure the talent that dons their famous white shirt could remain at the club for multiple seasons.