According to the Daily Mail, Preston made an offer to sign former Bury defender Saul Shotton on a free transfer.
Bury’s expulsion from the Football League last month meant their players became free agents, and Shotton has been attracting interest.
The 18-year-old centre back had emerged as a first-team player for Bury, featuring in their promotion-winning campaign last season. Formerly of Stoke City, the defender has been dubbed as a real prospect for the future.
Having become a free agent, Shotton has now received plenty of offers. It’s claimed that Preston were one of the teams to offer him a deal, whilst Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday followed suit.
However, Shotton has allegedly settled on a move to West Bromwich Albion, penning a two-year deal with the Baggies. His move should be made official later this week, ending Preston’s hopes for good.
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North End have previously moved to benefit from other clubs having financial issues. Tom Barkhuizen and Connor Simpson joined from Morecambe and Hartlepool United amid cash problems, and Shotton could have followed suit.
The teenage centre back would have been one for the future at Deepdale, joining Ben Davies, Patrick Bauer, Jordan Storey, Tom Clarke and Paul Huntington in the defensive ranks.
Shotton will instead look to further his career at West Brom, and North End will be hoping that he doesn’t make them pay for missing out on a deal.