Former Manchester United talent Josh Harrop remains a free agent two months on from being released by Preston North End.
There have been many signings over the years as a PNE fan that felt so exciting at the time but didn’t quite work out.
Names like Darren Carter, Tom Bayliss and Stevie May all spring to mind in that regard.
Then there is Josh Harrop, who looked like a massive coup for North End in the summer of 2017.
Harrop had made his first Manchester United start on the final day of the 2016-17 season as Jose Mourinho gave him a chance to shine.
Harrop responded by scoring against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford, mere weeks before his contract came to an end.
PNE were able to swoop in and sign Harrop as he rejected the offer of a new deal.
The Daily Mail noted that the deal would give United around £600,000 in compensation and North End fended off shock competition from the likes of Lyon, Rennes and Bordeaux according to Sky Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio.
Expectations were high and Harrop only managed two goals and one assist in his first season before suffering a major injury early into his second campaign.
Harrop’s best season came after that injury, returning in style for the 2019-20 season with outstanding goals against Blackburn Rovers and Charlton Athletic.
That earned Harrop a new deal and all parties would probably say, with the benefit of hindsight, that the new contract was a mistake.
Harrop struggled to nail down a place under Alex Neil after that contract and was sent out on loan to Ipswich Town.
That move didn’t work, and when Harrop didn’t play under Frankie McAvoy or Ryan Lowe, a loan move to Fleetwood materialised.
Just five appearances later, Harrop was back at North End with a year left on his deal and, come September 1st, PNE ripped up that final year.
Harrop should be a pretty appealing free agent to many clubs but two months on from his release, the playmaker remains without a club.
A trial with Burton Albion over the summer didn’t work out and it’s unclear where Harrop’s next move will be as things stand.
Harrop is just 26; there should be plenty left in the tank.
Harrop has creative ability in the final third and scored some impressive long-range strikes in a North End shirt.
League One and even League Two clubs like Salford City or Stockport County should maybe take a look into Harrop’s fitness and availability, as it feels surprising that he is still a free agent right now.
We hope to see Harrop back fit and firing somewhere soon; it’s a real shame that his exciting North End move ended in very, very quiet fashion.