Preston North End may well need some January additions to bolster Alex Neil’s squad, but rumour have been a little thin on the ground.
A new link did emerge last week, as Protathlima in Cyprus suggested that Preston are rivalling Nottingham Forest and APOEL Nicosia for Jack Byrne.
The 24-year-old is a free agent having reached the end of his Shamrock Rovers contract, and he could be the latest League of Ireland star to appeal to North End.
SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
Over the last seven years, Preston have brought in Alan Browne, Daryl Horgan, Andy Boyle, Seani Maguire, Kevin O’Connor and Graham Burke from League of Ireland sides.
There have been mixed results from that crop, but Byrne – who shares an agent with Burke – has excelled with Shamrock Rovers and has great pedigree having come through with Manchester City.
MORE PRESTON STORIES
Byrne has racked up 16 goals and 10 assists in 64 games for Rovers, and has also picked up four caps for Ireland.
A creative midfield player who can feature centrally, as a number 10 or on the flanks, Byrne could bring some more guile to the North End side, whilst being a cheap addition amid question marks over Daniel Johnson’s future.
Preston fans have been taking to Twitter to react to the rumours, and seem a little split given that history of Irish players at Deepdale.
Some think that signing Byrne would be similar to the 2018 deal for Burke, with real fear that he is no better than what Preston already have.
Others think that Byrne is worth a punt on a free transfer based on his quality in Ireland, feeling that he could prove to be a ‘class’ signing if given another chance in England.