Preston North End could have positive news on the horizon with Andrew Hughes and Patrick Bauer believed to be nearing new contracts.
The Lancashire Post report that new deals for Hughes and Bauer are ‘not far off’ being completed.
Wages are understood to have been sorted, and now it’s just a matter of contract lengths.
If we had to guess, two-year deals will be likely for the duo.
Bauer joined Preston on a free transfer from Charlton Athletic, penning a three-year deal in 2019.
The German has returned from a ruptured achilles to play a key role this season as Preston’s most dependable defender.
A fine leader in the back three, Bauer doesn’t turn 30 until next October and should have plenty left in the tank.
As for Hughes, he joined Preston from Peterborough United in 2018. Signed as a replacement for Greg Cunningham, Hughes has mostly played a left back.
Now more of a left-sided centre back in a three, Hughes fared well in Ryan Lowe’s first game in charge.
Whether or not Hughes is the long-term answer there remains to be seen, but he should be great competition at worst.
Both players will be able to sign pre-contract agreements with non-English clubs come January 1st, so Preston will want to get these deals tied up very quickly.