Preston were in the market for a new striker over the summer, and took the decision to head into the European market.
Signing a striker with a proven record in England is often beyond Preston, with the funds usually pricing North End out of deals – just look at Kieffer Moore.
In the end, Preston chose to sign Emil Riis from Danish side Randers, and he has shown plenty of potential in his first three months at Deepdale.
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Riis wasn’t the only European striker considered though, as Preston also looked at signing AZ Alkmaar centre forward Ferdy Druijf.
The Dutchman was spotted as a potential target, but he chose to stay at AZ and sign a new deal – though he may now regret that decision.
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Druijf has managed just 111 minutes of Eredivisie action this season, scoring only once, and the 22-year-old has admitted that he now wants to leave AZ.
Speaking to Telegraaf, Druijf has admitted that he wants to play somewhere else, believing that he needs to be playing regularly for another club.
Druijf suggested that he will take a look at the offers on the table, but AZ know that he wants to play more, even if that means leaving the Eredivisie side.
“I want to play one hundred percent somewhere else,” said Druijf. “I feel like I’m in good shape. I try to give everything, the maximum, but get the minimum in return. My choice is to play somewhere and I don’t think that’s here. So we have to take a look. I give one hundred percent for as long as I am here. That is not the problem. But I want more and they know it,” he added.
Would Preston be keen again? Well, it seems unlikely now; North End have already added a new striker this month, and unless Jayden Stockley was to move on, another striker isn’t a priority as things stand, even if Druijf would provide some more quality.