Celtic use Rangers blueprint as talks accelerate over first summer signing

5 Jul 2026 13:59 BST | 6 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

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Celtic have reportedly accelerated talks over a summer move for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Alfie Devine.

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The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at Championship outfit Preston North End, scoring eight goals and providing six assists in 45 league matches, and he is expected to secure a permanent transfer this summer.

Current ETV

Alfie Devine

M (C)

Preston

Alfie Devine

M (C)

Preston

ETV Range

€5.6M - €7.6M

Paul Heckingbottom’s side were keen to trigger their €7 million option-to-buy clause following Devine’s excellent loan stint, but the 1 July deadline has now passed, which has given Celtic renewed hope of finalising a deal to bring him to Glasgow this summer.

Devine has made two first-team appearances for Tottenham and is regarded as one of their best recent academy graduates, however a permanent sale appears to be on the cards before the end of the 2026 summer transfer window.

Spurs have already signed West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes this summer, while a deal is also in place to purchase Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United.

With Conor Gallagher, Rodrigo Bentancur, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar Sarr at the club too, there is serious competition for places in the middle of the park, and it’s likely that Devine will be allowed to leave his boyhood club before Deadline Day on 1 September.

Glasgow Times report that Celtic are “accelerating” talks with Spurs over a deal for Devine, and Martin O’Neill is understood to have undertaken a scouting mission during a visit to Preston in May.

However, Celtic are set to face significant competition for the 21-year-old, with Wolverhampton Wanderers among the clubs interested in signing him following their relegation from the Premier League.

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Celtic copy Rangers transfer plan

Celtic’s interest in Devine comes after the success of Mikey Moore’s loan move from Tottenham to Rangers last year.

The England U19 international was one of Rangers’ best players during the 2025-26 campaign, registering 11 goal contributions in 47 games, and he has been linked with a return to the Ibrox giants this summer.

Celtic are now keen to raid Tottenham’s academy following Moore’s impressive season at Rangers, with Devine identified as their latest transfer target as they look to finalise their first signing of the summer.

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