Millwall may have missed a trick amid Preston North End transfer swoop – Playmaker was on their doorstep | OneFootball

It is a major blow for Millwall that they have missed out on the signing of Alfie Devine to Preston North End.

Millwall look in good shape to challenge for the top six and the play-off places again in the Championship last season, but missing out on Preston North End-bound Alfie Devine will surely be a bit of a blow for Alex Neil.

Millwall were very impressive following the appointment of former Sunderland boss Neil mid-way through last season, and the Lions managed to fly towards the end of the campaign.

They narrowly missed out on the top six on the final day of the campaign, despite taking a 1-0 lead at Turf Moor against already automatically promoted Burnley, before succumbing to a 3-1 loss.

Millwall have made some impressive signings this summer, too, and will be expected to challenge once again for the top six, but they have missed out on the signing of Devine.

Blow for Millwall as Preston sign Spurs midfielder Alfie Devine

Preston North End have now confirmed the signing of midfielder Alfie Devine on a season-long loan deal from Tottenham Hotspur.

Preston, who avoided the drop last season on the final day of the campaign, have managed to beat both Millwall and Sheffield United in the race for the services of the 21-year-old attacking midfielder.

Whilst Devine comes from the north-west, having been born in Warrington and then developing through the academies of both Liverpool and Wigan Athletic, Millwall missing out on the 21-year-old is surely a blow.

The England youth international is now very much based in London as a Spurs player, for whom he has managed to make two first-team appearances for since joining in the summer of 2020.

It is therefore surely a blow to the ego for Millwall to have not got a deal over the line, given the massive advantages they have in terms of location.

They've been able to use their London links to their advantage this summer, with additions of Zak Sturge and Steven Benda from Chelsea and Fulham respectively, and could've potentially added Devine to that list.

Devine would have provided added quality to Millwall

As well as the reputational hit of not signing Devine with their massive location advantage over Preston, it is also a bit of a blow for Alex Neil on the pitch.

Millwall have an industrious and very difficult to play against and defeat squad, with some added quality sprinkled throughout it, but they perhaps lack a midfielder in the mould of Devine.

His presence and technical ability could have worked very well as foil for the physical presence of Josh Coburn and finishing capabilities of Mihailo Ivanovic up-front, whilst also provided added depth and competition in attacking midfield for the likes of Luke Cundle and Ra'ees Bangura-Williams.

Neil and Millwall will have to move on to other targets, and they can rest easy knowing that they have made some very intriguing signings already so far in this summer’s transfer window.

Max Crocombe and the aforementioned Steven Benda have arrived to compete for the goalkeeper spot, with Zak Sturge and Alfie Doughty being bought from Chelsea and Luton Town respectively for the full-back or wing-back roles.

Massimo Luongo has arrived on a free transfer following his departure from Ipswich Town, too, whilst Coburn has made his previous loan stint at The Den a permanent switch from Middlesbrough.

Millwall have the nucleus of a very strong squad that can compete for the top six, but they perhaps need the finishing touches of some added technical quality in midfield, and Devine could have provided that, but instead he will be showcasing it at Deepdale.