Details as record Alfie Devine transfer agreed after late Celtic interest at Tottenham
Alfie Devine finally looks set to leave Tottenham Hotspur.
In what looked like a relatively easy exit to complete for Spurs, it has taken weeks for the midfielder to sort his future.
Spending last season on loan at Preston North End, Devine impressed frequently in the Championship.
There was even talk of the England youth star sticking around in North London.
But, with Roberto De Zerbi keeping Tottenham in the Premier League, that quickly looked unlikely.
Add the near-£200million spent on Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, it's now impossible.
Thankfully for Devine, he now has his next club sorted.
Who is Alfie Devine signing for?
It will be a familiar setting for the midfielder, who is now set to join Preston permanently at Deepdale.
Despite having a £6million permanent clause in the loan deal with the Lilywhites, it wasn't triggered immediately.
Alan Nixon has now reported via his Patreon that a record deal has been agreed upon at the second time of trying.
Strangely, it's for the exact same fee - £6m.
It's said that late interest from Celtic, Southampton and Wolves was waved away with a lucrative contract at Deepdale.
Despite the other possibilities, Devine agreed to stay at Preston.
Preston records crushed by Tottenham in sad reality
There couldn't be a bigger gulf if you tried in modern day football.
Even in the Premier League, the reality of what certain clubs can spend compared to others will always create that gulf.
Spurs have already gone past £200m for De Zerbi, and you've immediately seen fans of Newcastle and Aston Villa immediately complain.
Tottenham don't need to explain themselves, they've just worked with the rules that have been set by the Premier League.
But, then you look at what's below that.
Via transfermarkt, Preston's record signing is Milutin Osmajic, who only cost a staggering £2.1m.
That shows how much they've pushed the boat out to sign Devine, who will be almost triple that fee.
But, it's also a sad reminder of the struggles that could have hit Tottenham harder than ever if they were relegated last season and failed to return quickly.