Preston North End striker Emil Riis appears destined to leave the club this summer after it was confirmed that no new contract offer has been made.
The Danish forward, now in his fifth season at Deepdale, has been a key figure in the squad, scoring 10 league goals this term—making him North End’s top scorer. His overall record stands at 44 goals in 176 appearances for the club.
Despite his goal-scoring contributions, Riis’ contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and all indications suggest he will be moving on. While manager Paul Heckingbottom had previously left the door open for a renewal, his latest comments strongly hint that Riis is heading for the exit.
“Yeah, as it stands now he’d be leaving,” Heckingbottom told BBC Lancashire. “It’s not up to me; it’s up to Emil. It’s up to any player who’s out of contract. It’s totally up to them what they want to do. I think he’s our top league scorer now as well. Listen, he’s done great.”
Interest from Championship Rivals
With Riis set to become a free agent, interest in his services has been growing, with Sheffield United and Sunderland among the clubs reportedly monitoring his situation.
Both clubs are expected to strengthen their attacking options ahead of next season, and Riis’ proven track record in front of goal makes him an attractive option on a free transfer. Sheffield United, pushing for promotion, could see him as an ideal addition, while Sunderland are also keen on bolstering their strike force.
No Hard Feelings Over Departure
While Riis has been a fan favourite, Heckingbottom emphasised that contract decisions are part of the game and that there is no ill will towards players who decide to move on.
“We don’t want any players here who don’t want to be here. And likewise, players don’t want to play for a club who don’t want them – simple. When contracts are up, they should just be honoured and everyone should be relaxed about it. There should be no hard feelings against players who want to leave. And likewise, if clubs don’t want to renew contracts, it’s just an opportunity to change.”
Writer’s View
Letting go of a proven goal scorer like Emil Riis without a contract extension is a bold move by Preston North End. While financial considerations likely played a role, it’s surprising that the club hasn’t done more to retain their top scorer.
If he does move to a Championship rival like Sheffield United or Sunderland, it could be a decision that comes back to haunt them. For Riis, however, the opportunity to play at a higher level with one of the promoted sides could be too tempting to resist.
