Preston North End are eyeing January signings and director Peter Ridsdale was spotted watching Barrow’s 3-1 win over Hartlepool on Saturday.
PNE aimed for eight signings over the summer window but ended up with six.
That has left fans – and boss Ryan Lowe – seeking some more additions in January just to top up the quality in the North End squad.
Chief scout James Wallace will be looking for talent whilst PNE will also have the input of MRKT Insights ahead of January.
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Peter Ridsdale is also likely to be out watching games to give additional opinions on top of the recruitment team.
Former North End striker Neil Mellor spotted Ridsdale at Saturday’s League Two game between Barrow and Hartlepool.
There is of course a strong chance that Ridsdale was just taking in a game whilst PNE are on their World Cup break.
Yet it’s only natural for fans to wonder whether he was watching a potential January signing in action.
Barrow claimed a 3-1 win and raced into a 3-0 lead after just 21 minutes before Hartlepool pulled one back.
Barrow goalscorers Josh Gordon, Ben Whitfield and Billy Waters have been knocking around the lower leagues for years now and it’s unlikely that North End were eyeing them.
It’s hard to find somebody who fits the bill but Barrow’s Tyrell Warren may fit best.
Warren, 24, was on the Manchester United books before heading to Salford City in 2019.
Warren dropped into non-league with Boston United before shining under Pete Wild at Halifax Town.
Wild then took Warren to Barrow over the summer and immediately branded him as a ‘huge prospect’ for the future.
Warren has played as a right back, centre back and wing back, potentially lending himself towards playing a host of roles in Ryan Lowe’s 3-5-2 – just like Sepp van den Berg in the past.
This trip may not have been about scouting at all but given North End’s needs, Warren may be a reasonable shout.