Alfie Devine- The Celtic and Spurs transfer connection is highlighted

Alan Nixon has brought Celtic into the transfer conversation involving Alfie Devine.

The Spurs midfielder spent the 25/26 season on loan at Preston who are believed to have an option to buy that expires tomorrow.

Unexpectedly Martin O’Neill and Mark Fotheringham were spotted watching Preston playing at home to QPR on Easter Monday, April 6.

Naturally O’Neill gave nothing away, claiming that he was just taking in a match but it did set some tongues wagging.

Central midfielder Devine had an impressive season on loan at Preston who finished in 14th place in the Championship.

Scoring eight goals and seven assists from 45 appearances is the sort of form that gets 21-year-old midfielders noticed.

With a year left on his contract Devine’s Spurs career hangs in the balance. A transfer fee in the region of £4.5-6m has been mentioned

Nixon has a long standing record of being In The Know for transfer deals in England. Based in the North East he has strong contacts with clubs in Lancashire and Yorkshire.

EPL clubs are now very aware of Financial Sustainability Regulations.

Clubs have to plan carefully. If significant offers come in for home developed players there is a greater likelihood of selling since it represents pure profit.

That was Newcastle’s motivation for selling Elliot Anderson a year ago to Nottingham Forest. A profit of £30m was welcomed, now Manchester City are paying £80m more for the England midfielder.

ALFIE DEVINE- CELTIC AND THE CAA BASE AGENCY

Nothing like those figures are being mentioned for Devine but it is significant that Nixon highlights Celtic and Spurs working closely with the CAA Base Agency.

CAA Base were responsible for presenting Ange Postecoglou to Celtic in the summer of 2021.

Frank Trimboli then worked hard to provide his client with almost a whole new squad with Celtic unusually active under Dom McKay.

Joe Hart and Cameron Carter-Vickers, initially on loan then in a £6m move, were transferred from Spurs to Celtic.

Under Paul Tisdale there wasn’t much use of CAA Base at Celtic but clearly there is now an urgent need to bring players in.

More than five weeks on from winning the Scottish Cup Celtic have yet to make any signings.

The SPFL opener against Dundee is five weeks today.

Most Celtic fans would be expecting five or six first team starters to be signed, with more required if Michael Nicholson gets his way by selling Arne Engels, Daizen Maeda and other essential first team starters.

This week’s Trinity Tims podcast will be at 6.30pm on Tuesday.