Preston find it difficult to compete in the English market at times, and finding a striker had proven tough for that reason.
Finding a quality Championship goalscorer within North End’s tight budget hasn’t been easy, leading to some missteps since Jordan Hugill’s exit.
Finally though, Preston looked to the European market – and there was no better time for it, given that many foreign players won’t qualify for work permits in a post-Brexit world.
Emil Riis arrived from Randers for £1.2million in October, and has shown plenty of promise in the early stages of his Championship career.
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Riis wasn’t the only player Preston looked at though; Peter Ridsdale hinted in September that an offer had been made for a European striker, but he chose to stay with his club.
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We reported the player in question was Ferdy Druijf, who decided to sign a new deal with AZ Alkmaar instead of making the move to Preston.
Now though, the Dutchman’s decision may be coming back to haunt him, as he has still yet to start a single league game this season, playing just 107 minutes across eight substitute appearances.
The 22-year-old did score against Vitesse Arnhem last week, but he told NH Nieuws earlier this month that he may still look to leave in January.
Druijf suggested that he is ‘falling away’ at AZ with Myron Boadu and Albert Gudmundsson ahead of him in the pecking order, whilst sporting director Max Huiberts suggested that the situation will be assessed in January.
So, that begs the question – should Preston go back in for Druijf, even after luring Riis to Deepdale?
Riis has shown promise, but he still needs some help. With Scott Sinclair nursing a hamstring injury, Seani Maguire may now be needed on the left flank, with Jayden Stockley the only other striker in that scenario.
Signing Druijf – even if only on loan – could give Preston a goal boost in the second half of the season and give the Dutch target man the football he is seeking, with Preston surely keeping close tabs on his situation ahead of January.