According to The Mirror’s live transfer blog (20:52), Preston are in the race to sign Liverpool youngster George Johnston.
Johnston, 20, has come up through the Liverpool ranks, and played 22 Premier League 2 games last season. Born in Manchester, Johnston has picked up two caps for Scotland Under-21’s.
On Thursday, Johnston played for Liverpool in their 6-0 friendly thrashing of Tranmere Rovers. The defender came on as a substitute, and is now attracting interest.
The Mirror claim that North End are keen on a loan deal, but so are West Brom and Hull. North West rivals Blackburn Rovers and Wigan Athletic are also thought to be in the race.
On Liverpool’s official website, Johnston is described as being a ‘a left-sided centre-back’, but he can also play at left back. With that in mind, does a move to Deepdale make sense?
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If he’s seen as a centre back, there’s little room for Johnston. A left-footed centre back to cover for Ben Davies may be ideal, but we already have four other centre backs. Patrick Bauer, Jordan Storey, Tom Clarke and Paul Huntington are essentially competing for one spot, so adding another wouldn’t be wise.
The only way this move would add up is if Johnston is seen as a left back. Bringing in cover for Andrew Hughes there would allow Josh Earl to go out on loan, which the youngster needs this season.
For now, we’re writing this one off as merely getting the player’s name out there after playing for Liverpool’s first team. Still, he’s a name to keep an eye on – especially if Earl goes out on loan.