Having missed out on the Championship play-offs following a poor end to their 2023/24 campaign, Preston North End will once again have promotion ambitions in what could be considered a slightly easier second tier renewal next term.
For those said ambitions to materialise, improvements are needed in multiple areas of the pitch, something which hasn’t exactly been addressed so far this window, though there is plenty of time to rectify that. North End are one of a few select Championship clubs who are yet to get the ball rolling this summer but movements will be expected soon.
They’d previously been linked with Mickel Miller, with the Football Insider reporting that Ryan Lowe’s side, alongside both Portsmouth and Oxford United had displayed an interest in the Plymouth Argyle midfielder.
Despite being valued by Transfermarkt at around the £350,000 mark, the 28-year-old is set to depart this summer on a free transfer having turned down a new contract at Home Park. Miller would make a total of 34 appearances in the second tier last term, 19 of those being starts and being able to switch between playing on the left hand side of both midfield and defence, he’s proven himself as a versatile asset.
Of the three teams mentioned, it is the Lilywhites who are potentially the most ambitious, with the other two both being newly promoted sides, which could attract Miller to Deepdale. However, another Championship club have now joined the race for the versatile midfielder, that being Sheffield Wednesday.
The Football Insider have revealed that the Owls are plotting a move for the Englishman, who seems to be a rather wanted man at the present. Having miraculously survived on the final day of the season, Wednesday will be looking to push up the table next term and could become direct rivals to Preston.
With a number of Championship clubs now displaying an interest in Miller, it is all about who can offer him the best deal. Now 28, he’s very much in his prime years and it seems as if it is now where his stock will be at its highest. Having proved himself in the Championship with the Pilgrims last term, he’d be a good pickup for a side at the level but does come with risks attached given his injury record.
Writer’s View
Sheffield Wednesday entering the race for Miller could indeed harm Preston’s chances but it is unknown to what level of contact has been made between the club and the player. There are potentially better options than the 28-year-old, but given both his versatility, as well as being available on a free, he’d be a decent addition at the level.
However Preston could choose to be more ambitious, especially with the Championship looking slightly weaker ahead of the forthcoming season. Perhaps this could be the year where they put more money into the transfer budget to push into the top six, or potentially even further.