Championship side Preston North End are considering a swoop for former Sheffield Wednesday striker Michael Smith, according to The Star.
The 33-year-old is a free agent after his contract with the club was terminated by mutual consent due to issues surrounding wages, just six months after the Owls rejected bids for the striker in January.
It’s reported that League One side Blackpool and League Two outfit MK Dons, who are managed by one of Smith’s former managers, Paul Warne, are interested in his services, and have now been joined by second-tier side Preston.
Michael Smith’s Record at Sheffield Wednesday
Smith moved to Hillsborough in 2022 after leaving Rotherham United, and has since played 127 times for the club. In this time, he has contributed 32 goals and 14 assists in all competitions, 14 of which came last season.
Mainly used as a substitute, Smith started just 16 games last season, but played 41 times in total, scoring crucial goals against the likes of Swansea City, Portsmouth and Preston, who are now interested in acquiring his services.
Preston North End Need to Improve on Last Season
Paul Heckingbottom’s side struggled last season, mainly towards the end of the season, meaning they finished 20th, just one point and two places above the relegation zone on the final day.
The side have already lost key players, such as striker Emil Riis, who has joined Championship rivals Bristol City, and Ched Evans, who is in discussion over a coaching role at the club. This leaves Will Keane and Bournemouth loanee Daniel Jebbison as the only two strikers at the club.
The club have added defenders Pol Valentin, who has joined from Wednesday, Thierry Small and Odel Offiah and midfielder Jordan Thompson to their ranks.
Adding another experienced player who knows where the back of the net is could be crucial if the Lilywhites don’t want to avoid the same fate as last season.
Ongoing Trouble at Sheffield Wednesday
With the new takeover supposedly breaking down, and current owner Dejphron Chansiri unwilling to support the club financially, Wednesday are in big trouble next season.
Key players such as Josh Windass and Smith have departed already over disputes over unpaid wages, alongside the uncertainty over their manager, Danny Rohl’s future, combined with the fact that the club are under investigation and they are yet to make a signing spells bad luck for the club, as it looks to be one miserable season at Hillsborough.
Writer’s View
For Preston, this could be a shrewd piece of business on a free transfer, with Smith highly experienced in the EFL. However, they face a fight, with Blackpool and MK reportedly also interested.
For Sheffield Wednesday, it spells further trouble, with the fight with Chansiri looking to be far from over.
