Preston North End transfer scepticism understandable but Devine pursuit feels different to Cannon
PNE have activated their option to buy the Spurs man permanently
After takeover talk, the next key focus for Preston North End supporters this summer will be Alfie Devine’s future.
Following an impressive loan spell at Deepdale, which saw him become a firm fan favourite, the Lilywhites are trying to secure the midfielder’s services permanently. PNE inserted an option-to-buy in the loan agreement but at a reported £4.5million, affording it appeared another matter entirely.
It now turns out the fee is around the £6m mark for Preston, who wish to spread that sum over a few years. It is a big financial commitment for a club whose transfer record is c£2.1m, especially with few saleable assets currently in the squad. Devine would become a major one instantly, if PNE manage to wrap up a deal. It would represent a statement of intent.
The report of Preston activating their buy-option was met with some understandable skepticism; history tells us this is not the done thing at this football club. Some felt it was a ploy to sell more season cards, while others compared it to the Lilywhites’ late bid for Tom Cannon in the summer of 2023.
After a successful loan at Deepdale the striker ended up joining Leicester City for a fee of around £7.5m. There was surprise, to say the least, when North End boss at the time, Ryan Lowe, revealed the club had matched the offer - more than three times anything PNE had ever paid for a player.
Although it was assured that Preston did ‘everything they possibly could’, the late nature of the bid raised question marks as to whether Cannon was as good as Foxes-bound already. North End had to trigger their option for Devine this month, but talks are set to take place with the player and there appears genuine intent to conclude business.
The fee at the time for Cannon felt way beyond PNE’s reach, and they turned to Milutin Osmajic immediately after, who cost £2m. Devine’s price tag still raises eyebrows but the Lilywhites inserted it in the first place, and have had 12 months to prepare for a possible move. The potential of a takeover surely has some relevance here, too.
Devine looks nailed on to leave Tottenham this summer and time will tell where he ends up. Links to Celtic and Wolves will likely fill Preston supporters with dread; if they come on strong, you could not begrudge the player a move to either. It would be an immense deal for North End to get done. They have often been the club that tried when it comes to transfers, but at least they are at the table.