Long-serving West Brom star could be finished if they sign Alfie Devine

West Bromwich Albion are yet to strengthen their midfield ranks after bringing in two new options to add to James Morrison’s attack in the summer transfer window.

Jimmy-Jay Morgan and Barney Stewart have been brought in to add more goals to the team, after they scored a combined 32 goals for their respective clubs combined in the 2025/26 campaign.

James Morrison and the recruitment team may not turn their attention to the central midfield positions to add more quality to their ranks in that area of the pitch.

One player who has been suggested as a potential signing in those positions is Tottenham Hotspur central midfielder Alfie Devine, who spent last season on loan at Preston North End.

Championship rivals Middlesbrough have also been linked with the English youngster, though, and they recently sold Hayden Hackney to Premier League side Everton for £25m, providing them with funds to work with.

Race hotting up to sign Alfie Devine this summer

It will not be an easy deal to compete for the Baggies or Boro, though, because there are more teams joining the race to secure his services this summer.

According to Alan Nixon, via his Patreon, Southampton and Preston North End are both keen on a deal to sign the 21-year-old central midfielder in the summer transfer window.

Preston had an option to sign the star on a permanent basis after his loan spell at Deepdale last season, but the exclusivity on that expired at the start of July, opening the door for other sides to join the race.

The Tottenham youngster has interest beyond the English Championship, too, as Scottish giants Celtic have looked at him as a potential signing for Martin O’Neill’s squad.

This means that the Baggies, should they decide to make a move to bring him to The Hawthorns, will have to beat off competition from a host of sizeable clubs, including Tonda Eckert’s impressive Southampton side, to secure his services.

Whilst there has been nothing to suggest that West Brom are preparing to make an offer for Devine, Morrison should push the club to pursue a deal because he could be a fantastic addition to the squad.

West Brom star could be let go if Alfie Devine joins

If the Baggies do swoop for the Spurs youngster on a permanent deal and beat the likes of Southampton and Boro to his signature, it could be bad news for one of their current players.

Alex Mowatt, who has played 169 times for the club, has one year left on his contract at The Hawthorns and the arrival of a new player in his position could see him move on ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

West Brom Xtra reported last month that there is ‘significant’ interest from a number of other Championship sides in the experienced midfielder, which means that the Baggies could cash in if they decide to allow to him to leave.

Both Devine and Mowatt are central midfielders who are in their respective teams to provide quality with the ball at their feet, whilst also working hard off the ball to make challenges.

Neither of them are outstanding defensively, as that is not their main role in the side, but they have both shown that they can get stuck in to win duels and rarely get dribbled past by opposition players.

Devine, however, was far more effective at doing his job as an offensive force in the 2025/26 campaign in the Championship, scoring seven more goals and providing two more assists than the West Brom star.

Their respective statistics in the second tier suggest that the Baggies would improve their team by replacing Mowatt with the 21-year-old talent, as he would offer similar output defensively whilst carrying a greater threat at the top end of the pitch.

On top of that, Devine is ten years younger than Mowatt and would help West Brom to refresh their squad and lower the average age, giving the team more longevity and more potential to improve over time.

If the Spurs youngster does complete a move to The Hawthorns this summer, the 31-year-old maestro’s career with the Baggies could be other as it may force him to explore the reported interest in him to find a new club ahead of next season.