Preston North End are understood to be interested in AFC Wimbledon star Anthony Hartigan, fighting Blackpool for his signature this summer.
That’s according to the London Evening Standard, who claim that there is mounting interest in Hartigan’s signature.
It’s claimed that Preston have been tracking Hartigan with bitter rivals Blackpool also understood to be keen.
Rotherham United are interested after winning promotion from League One whilst Bolton have been linked too.
Hartigan, 22, has decided to leave Wimbledon with his contract expiring this summer.
Wimbledon were keen to keep hold of the midfielder but he will now move on from Plough Lane after suffering relegation to League Two.
With Hartigan under the age of 24, Wimbledon will still be entitled to compensation should Hartigan move on this summer.
So what could Preston expect from Hartigan?
A Wimbledon youth product, Hartigan mostly played as a holding midfield player this season.
With seven assists across 42 games in all competitions, Hartigan has helped contribute going forward.
Mostly a combative and hard-working midfield player, Hartigan appears to have potential for the future but a move to Preston doesn’t quite add up.
In that holding midfield role, Preston already have Ben Whiteman and Ryan Ledson, whilst you could see Ali McCann playing there too.
If North End are to bring in another midfield player this summer, it needs to be a creative playmaker who can help Daniel Johnson.
Hartigan just doesn’t fit that bill and with a logjam in other midfield areas, it’s hard to see Preston signing Hartigan this summer.
Given the interest from Blackpool and Rotherham though, we could well see Hartigan coming up against Preston in the Championship next season.