Preston North End are close to agreeing new contracts with two players and a third could be on the way shortly after.
That’s according to director Peter Ridsdale, who spoke to the press earlier this week.
Ridsdale claims Preston have made offers to two players who, as things stand, can leave North End at the end of the season.
Ridsdale added that talks are ongoing with a third player who can leave next summer.
“We have made offers to two players whose contracts are due to expire in the summer,” said Ridsdale.
“I think we are pretty close on both. We are also in discussions with a third.
“There are some interesting expectation levels versus the market at the moment. We would hope to conclude contracts in the next few weeks for those we want to keep,” he added.
Who are Preston trying to keep?
We would assume that one of the players involved is defender Patrick Bauer, who has been colossal this season.
The German has proven to be a great leader at the back for North End, and his absence is felt whenever he is off the bench.
Bauer can leave for free next summer, and Preston must keep him at Deepdale.
Andrew Hughes would be our guess for the other player close to a new deal. Much like Bauer, Hughes’ deal runs until next summer.
The Welshman has been solid as a left-sided centre back this season, and we would imagine a one or two extension is in mind.
The third player could be Tom Barkhuizen, though that deal could be trickier than Bauer or Hughes.
The likes of Connor Ripley, Joe Rafferty, Paul Huntington and Scott Sinclair are also out of contract in 2022, but look unlikely to land extensions as things stand.