Liam Millar has been one of the standout players for Preston North End this season. The Canadian international joined on loan from Swiss side FC Basel in the summer, and has gone on to score three goals and pick up five assists.
His performances outshine those stats though, and his trickery down the left hand side has been a joy to watch at times. Millar loves to take players on, and his late winner against Leeds United on Boxing Day will live long in the memory.
Preston don’t have an option to turn his loan move into a permanent deal at this stage, so would have to have a bid accepted by Basel in order to see Millar extend his stay at the club.
The 24-year-old has already been linked with other clubs though, with Sunderland credited with an interest in the winger. The Black Cats may struggle to hold on to Jack Clarke for much longer, and Liam Millar would make a suitable replacement. Sunderland regularly play with two advanced wingers either side of a striker or a false number nine.
Those reports came nearly three weeks ago though, and since then The Lancashire Evening Post have reported Preston remain in discussions with Basel to sign Millar on a permanent deal.
We’ve been here before though. Daniel Iversen, Sepp van den Berg, Alvaro Fernandez, Tom Cannon, and Cameron Archer all impressed on loan with fans and the club holding on to hope that they would return the following season. Unfortunately none of those moves materialised.
Millar does look set to leave Basel with the Swiss side struggling financially and third from bottom in their league.
The former Liverpool player comes to life in the final third of the pitch, and brings everyone to the edge of their seat when in an attacking situation. In a Ryan Lowe Preston side though, Millar has to do his fair share of defending duties too.
In a wing-back formation, the widest players can’t just stay at the top end of the pitch, they have to be up and down that wing all game long. Millar won’t enjoy the defensive side too much, but there isn’t really another role for him in this side.
If there are other clubs keeping an eye on Millar’s situation then the promise of playing as an out and out winger could sway his choice if he has a decision to make.
Millar is arguably the most exciting and creative player we have had since Aiden McGeady. That didn’t end well, with McGeady being poached by Sunderland and Simon Grayson. Preston should do everything they can to ensure Millar is still dazzling fans at Deepdale next season.