Preston North End were initially gearing up for an abundance of business on Deadline Day yesterday, but finalised just one signing despite plenty of striker talk.
Paul Heckingbottom’s side snapped up a loan deal for Everton prospect, Harrison Armstrong – with an announcement being unveiled hours after the deadline officially closed. Armstrong is highly-rated by the Toffees and could prove to be a real coup for the Lilywhites this season. This move to North End was only sanctioned due to Merlin Röhl’s move from SC Freiburg being finalised by David Moyes’ side.
During the early stages of Deadline Day, transfer talk in the striker market brought vast optimism for Preston fans, wondering which prospect could be arriving at Euxton on a busy day. Pete O’Rourke lauded David Datro Fofana as a potential loan coup for North End, with the £10-million purchased Chelsea striker also being linked to Celtic and Charlton Athletic throughout the day. Ultimately any approach fell through with attention turning to an alternative target hours before the deadline.
This attention provided even more speculation for fans of the Lancashire club. An unexpected link to former loan favourite, Tom Cannon, materialised into interest and reports from Alan Nixon suggesting that very late bids were offered to Sheffield United for a season-long loan. The problem of wage coverage arose between the two Championship sides, seemingly never reaching a realistic agreement that appeased both parties.
Preston’s summer business has been great, in comparison to their minimal budget within the Championship. However, just two paid fees among 12 new recruits has caused fan concern over the level of incoming quality. An asset like Thierry Small arriving on a free deal is an exceptional piece of business, with the 20-year-old being one of the standout performers in wins against Leicester City and Ipswich Town. But with a proven goalscorer in Emil Riis leaving for free, questions need to be asked on the strategy behind this area of replacement.
Michael Smith has been brought in as a Championship-level striker with a good goalscoring record for Sheffield Wednesday, but at 33, he will be a shorter-term acquisition. Daniel Jebbison was loaned in from AFC Bournemouth to get the striker’s career back on track under a very familiar manager in Heckingbottom, but he too is a short-term punt – returning to the Cherries next summer.
Aston Villa loanee, Lewis Dobbin, looks to be a real talent, dropping deep into the midfield areas and driving up the pitch with quick passing movements or solo dribbles. A permanent Riis replacement is nowhere to be seen though. Milutin Osmajic is facing a potential ban due to a prolonged investigation from the FA on alleged remarks in last season’s FA Cup win against Burnley.
Writer’s View
If Osmajic gets injured or is found guilty of alleged misconduct, North End could be without a serious goalscorer for a long period of time this season. To be heavy favourites for both Fofana and Cannon in the space of one day, and to achieve a loan for neither, is a tremendous failure by the club.
Preston are already light in this area, with injuries across the squad concerning fans now. Results have been decent, with good, resilient wins against newly-relegated Premier League sides. Riis could be a bigger loss than initially realised.
