Preston were linked with a move for Crewe Alexandra winger Owen Dale this summer – but he has now joined our bitter rivals Blackpool.
With North End keen on attacking reinforcements – whether that was a striker or winger – many players were linked over the summer window.
One of them was winger Owen Dale, who impressed at League One side Crewe Alexandra last season.
Dale, 22, racked up 12 goals and three assists in all competitions last season, playing mostly as a right-sided winger.
Football Insider reported in April that Preston were keen on Dale, battling Blackburn Rovers, Ipswich Town and Sunderland for him.
Alan Nixon then suggested that the fee involved for Dale was too big for anybody, including Preston.
The 22-year-old has got his move now though, as he has joined Preston’s bitter rivals Blackpool on loan until January.
Blackpool can then turn the move permanent in the New Year, with an arrangement made having run very close to the deadline with this move.
North End brought in a winger of their own in Josh Murphy, and will now hope he turns out to be a better signing than Dale after seeing him head down the coast.