Millwall FC look to repeat Japhet Tanganga trick with new Spurs transfer | OneFootball

Millwall are reportedly interested in landing Tottenham Hotspur prospect Alfie Devine in a permanent deal

Millwall are interested in striking a permanent deal for highly-rated Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Alfie Devine ahead of the upcoming 2025/26 Championship campaign.

As first reported on Thursday afternoon by Daniel Marsh in the Mirror's live transfer news blog (12:13PM), Devine has emerged as a target for the Lions in a bid to bolster their squad in preparation for next season.

It has been a relatively quiet summer transfer window at Millwall, with Max Crocombe arriving from Burton Albion alongside Josh Coburn and Zak Sturge following their loan spells with the club from Middlesbrough and Chelsea respectively last term.

But they are poised to complete a fresh arrival imminently in the form of Massimo Luongo, with the ex-Ipswich Town midfielder reportedly undertaking a medical ahead of his move to the Lions after spending time on trial this summer.

The focus, it would seem, is retaining the services of star forward Mihailo Ivanovic, who is valued at a reported £13.8 million by Millwall amid interest from Italian side Parma and others. Keeping hold of former Spurs defender Japhet Tanganga is also a big priority, of course.

However, Alex Neil remains keen on adding to his squad before the window slams shut at the end of next month, with Millwall looking to build upon last season's eighth-placed finish.

Millwall interested in Spurs' Alfie Devine

According to the aforementioned update, Devine is a target for Millwall on a permanent basis following a number of loan moves away from parent club Spurs.

Devine first joined the North London side back in 2020 from Wigan Athletic, initially linking up with the club's academy. The attacking midfielder's impressive displays at age-group level for both club and country have seen him long earmarked as a star for the future, and still aged just 20, he will be hoping to kick on further and realise that potential in the coming years.

Devine spent the 2023/24 campaign on loan with Port Vale and Plymouth Argyle, gaining experience at both League One and Championship level.

Those stints, however, proved somewhat mixed, with the talented playmaker truly establishing himself in the Belgian top-flight with Westerlo last season by scoring six goals from 30 league appearances.

He has since returned to Spurs and has been involved in pre-season under new boss Thomas Frank, although he could be on the move once again before long.

Spurs' Alfie Devine could be a strong signing for Millwall

It's easy to see exactly why Millwall are interested in completing a deal for Devine.

The Lions have been a well-drilled unit under Neil, but remain in search of creativity and goals from midfield.

Devine's profile as an inventive, attack-minded midfielder with an eye for goal would ensure that box is ticked, while his age would also bring exciting long-term upside to a club which has leaned upon a youth-centred recruitment policy in recent times with the intention of harnessing resale value and gaining significant profit further down the line.

It seems like a sensible signing for Millwall to make at this stage of the window, and Devine could prove a shrewd pickup if he can be snapped up at a reasonable price.