Preston have enjoyed a fine start to the season, with no Championship team scoring more goals than Alex Neil’s side.
Yet still, North End may need a striker in January. Tom Barkhuizen has been filling in there but doesn’t look entirely comfortable. Seani Maguire and Billy Bodin are also better out wide, Jayden Stockley is out of favour, Louis Moult is out for the season and David Nugent is now 34.
One more goalscorer in January could give North End an added edge, but there are difficulties. Any English-based player that could improve Preston would likely be out of our price range, and there seems to be a reluctance to look abroad.
A player North End have fancied in the past is Ivan Toney. Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony claimed last year that Preston wanted to sign him from Newcastle United, but the Posh already had a £650,000 deal done.
Toney, 23, enjoyed a stunning first season with the League One side. With 23 goals in 55 games, Toney became one of League One’s top striker, and he hasn’t stopped there.
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The former Northampton Town talent is in red-hot form this season, scoring eight times in 12 games for Darren Ferguson’s men. Now a man in demand, Peterborough are allegedly putting a huge price on Toney.
TEAMtalk claim that Peterborough now want a huge £10million for Toney, with Premier League clubs keen. Blackburn Rovers, Bristol City, Derby County and Middlesbrough are thought to be keen, but that price should scare off suitors.
Toney would be a fine addition for North End, with his athletic profile and goal record fitting what Neil wants. However, MacAnthony suggested over the summer that Preston would never pay what Peterborough now want for Toney, just over a year since that £650,000 move.
At £10million, there is absolutely no chance of any move now, and North End appear to have missed the boat on the young striker.