Preston North End urged to 'break the bank' and seal Tottenham transfer | OneFootball

FLW's Preston North End fan pundit has given his verdict on the buy option in Alfie Devine's loan move from Tottenham Hotspur

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Alfie Devine has made a strong start to life on loan at Preston North End following his summer move from Tottenham Hotspur.

The midfielder has contributed two goals from five appearances in the Championship, with Paul Heckingbottom’s side earning strong results.

The Lilywhites are aiming for a top half of the table finish this year after coming 20th in the previous campaign, narrowly avoiding relegation by just one point.

It was confirmed by the Lancashire outfit that they hold an option to buy clause as part of the loan agreement with Spurs.

Alfie Devine’s impact at Preston

When asked if the club should be breaking the bank to keep Devine, FLW’s Preston fan pundit Darren Watson claimed that it’s unrealistic to expect that from the current owners.

However, he is excited to see more of the midfielder during his time at Deepdale, particularly highlighting his partnership with Lewis Dobbin.

“What an absolute player Alfie Devine is,” Watson told Football League World.

“He showed his quality in the short time he’s been at Preston, and yes I do think Preston definitely do need to go out and break the bank.

“But, again, looking at our current owner and their situation with money and how they like to put money into the club, then is that going to be a realistic option?

“I would love us to keep Alfie Devine because he’s only going to get better and he’s thriving in this squad under Paul Heckingbottom, and he’s proving that game after game after game.

“And I can’t wait to see more of him.

“Obviously, we’ve got Bristol City at home next and hopefully he starts again.

“Him and Dobbin have worked a brilliant partnership up as well.”

Preston takeover claim

Watson believes the next owners should invest in the side by looking to keep their successful loan players, if a deal to purchase the club does happen over the course of this season.

“This takeover now, if we do get taken over, we need somebody with the money and the drive to go ‘you know what, these loan players have done well, let’s just keep them now and let’s build on this and let’s actually push for the play-offs’,” he added.

“That isn’t unrealistic, that is not an unrealistic view now play-offs.

“We’re doing well, we’re doing really, really well and I’m really excited for this team going forward.

“So, I do think Preston need to break everything they’ve got, make him our record transfer fee, we’ll have a whip around at Deepdale and we’ll get as much money as we can for the lad.

“Because, they say don’t ever fall in love with a loan player but it’s happened again.”

Preston are currently fifth in the Championship table, having earned 11 points from their opening six fixtures, leaving them only five behind leaders Middlesbrough.

Next up for Heckingbottom’s side is a home clash against Bristol City on 27 September in a 3pm kick-off.

Alfie Devine deal would be great for Preston

Devine looks like the real deal at the moment, impressing with his initial performances under Heckingbottom this season.

If he can keep this up, then he could prove a bargain signing for the cost of that buy option clause, even if it is potentially on the expensive side for Preston.

He has fit well into this team, and he has just turned 21 so he has plenty of room to still grow and develop as a player.

If Preston can’t afford the buy option under the current owners, then there will surely be a number of Championship clubs lining up to sign him instead next summer.