Preston North End are notorious for their development of loan players. Tom Cannon was a fine prospect during his time at Deepdale; Paul Heckingbottom is looking at a possible loan reunion.
According to Alan Nixon, Cannon could reunite with the Lancashire side who offered him his first platform in the EFL, with a season-long loan reportedly being offered on Deadline Day.
Sheffield United signed Cannon from Leicester City in January, but could allow the young striker to leave on loan if Preston can strike the correct deal. North End fans adored Cannon during his stay in Lancashire. Cannon scored eight times in 21 appearances, providing a big threat in the PNE attack.
The 22-year-old began his career at Everton, rising through the academy process and signing his first professional loan deal with Preston in 2023. A move to Leicester later on that summer meant that the striker earned Premier League promotion as the number nine. During the Foxes’ top-flight campaign, Cannon dropped down to Stoke City and scored 11 goals in 25 appearances.
Chris Wilder signed Cannon in January, but wasn’t rewarded by the young attacker. Just one goal in 22 games means that the former Everton player needs a fresh start. Preston are looking to provide Cannon with a platform to aid his development once more, but also boost their Championship chances.
Movement is expected from Preston on Deadline Day, with reports over Harrison Armstrong’s loan deal with the Lilywhites edging ever-closer. Heckingbottom is also looking at another striking option on loan, with Cannon now being lauded as one of the frontrunners.
Writer’s View
Preston fans will be elated if this signing can go through. The sentimental reunion of the summer for North End supporters would land them with a great striking option that already knows how to thrive at the Lancashire side. With a plethora of injuries at Preston at the moment and a fall down the pecking order at the Blades, Cannon moving to Deepdale once more could come at the perfect stage.
If North End can secure both Armstrong and Cannon, this will be one of, if not the best transfer windows in their recent history. With a few hours to possibly finalise these deals, Preston will need to act quickly to strike an agreement and beat the competition that will likely arise from rivalling Championship outfits.
