Preston’s need for a striker is hardly a secret; only one player hit double figures in goals this season, and that was midfielder Daniel Johnson with 12 goals.
Seani Maguire, Jayden Stockley and David Nugent managed just 10 goals between them this season, and nobody really knows how Louis Moult will return from a year-long lay-off.
The Lancashire Evening Post now suggest that Preston’s focus may be on ‘a couple’ of striker signings, with Alex Neil desperately seeking more firepower.
The budget won’t be big, and North End may need to look at some free agents to come in. It’s not the most inspiring crop of free agent strikers this summer, but we’ve picked out some names that may interest Preston this summer…
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Atdhe Nuhiu
Pros: A giant aerial presence, has tormented North End in the past. Has Championship experience with Sheffield Wednesday and international experience with Kosovo.
Cons: Not particularly mobile. Now 31, and has scored just 10 goals in his past two Championship seasons.
Armand Gnanduillet
Pros: Great goalscoring record in his last two seasons, scoring 32 goals at Blackpool in that time. He is a huge presence at 6ft 4in tall, whilst he possesses the mobility that Neil is looking for too. Knows the local area and seems ready to step up from League One.
Cons: 28 years of age and hasn’t played above League One. Hadn’t even impressed in League One before the last couple of seasons. Blackpool fans often branded him lazy.
Aiden O’Brien
Pros: Decent age at 26. Capable of playing out wide or up front, which Neil likes. Scored 23 goals in two League One seasons, but has since been used out wide at Millwall, with his goals drying up. An Irish international who already knows some of the squad. Hard-working player with a good frame at 6ft tall.
Cons: Championship goal record isn’t great, scoring just nine times in the last three seasons. Hasn’t played as a striker for a while now, and you would have to question whether he could really improve North End if Millwall are letting him go.
Collin Quaner
Pros: Hard-working player who can play on the right flank if needed. Tall frame at 6ft 3in tall. Decent mobility for his size and hit eight goals in 16 games in his final season at Union Berlin.
Cons: Torrid goal record in England, scoring just three goals in 60 games for Huddersfield. He was primarily used as a winger, but that doesn’t bode well. Just turned 29 so no resale value.
Danny Ward
Pros: Seven goals in the Championship for Cardiff City this season. Capable of playing wide if needed. Experienced Championship campaigner with a strong all-round game.
Cons: Turns 29 this year, and would likely have to take a drop in wages to come to Preston. Cardiff may even want to keep him. Injuries were a concern in the 2018-19 and early on this term.
Omar Bogle
Pros: Another striker with a great frame at 6ft 3in tall. Was a goal machine at Grimsby Town with two 19-goal campaigns.
Cons: Mixed success above League Two with Wigan, Cardiff, Peterborough, Birmingham, Portsmouth and ADO Den Haag. Real concerns over whether he could handle being a leading striker off the back of a nomadic period.
Chris Martin
Pros: Bounced back with a great campaign, scoring 11 goals in the Championship for Derby County. A strong centre forward with major Championship experience, recaptured his scoring touch.
Cons: Lack of mobility a concern. Will turn 32 this year and would expect big wages, would have to take a major pay cut to join.
Sam Winnall
Pros: Experienced in the Football League. Exceptional scoring record at Scunthorpe United and Barnsley. Not the tallest striker, but smart and with good movement. Bagged a respectable six goals in 17 games at Derby during the 2017-18 season.
Cons: Injuries have ravaged him in recent times. Only played 20 league games in the last two seasons. Turns 30 in January, and you have to question whether he can really get back to his best now.
