Preston North End have been waiting what seems like the whole transfer window for an answer from Everton about Tom Cannon. They are not the only Championship side who have him in their sights though.
Cannon enjoyed a loan spell at Deepdale last season, scoring eight goals in 20 league games. The long-term injuries to Ched Evans and Emil Riis have only exaggerated the need for another addition up front.
Will Keane has started the season very well, with two goals in the opening two games in the Championship. We are used to playing two up front though, but Keane has been on his own with the only other striking option Felipe Rodriguez-Gentile who is just 16-years-old.
Everton’s Tom Cannon was seen at Deepdale three weeks ago, as he watched Preston’s friendly win over Aberdeen. At that point it seemed likely he was on his way back, but there doesn’t seem to have been much progress since.
We don’t want to end up in a similar position to the Cameron Archer saga last season. If it’s not Cannon that comes in, there needs to be a Plan B.
The Sun journalist Alan Nixon, has now claimed that Leeds United could be preparing an £8m bid for him. Although he has also mentioned that Cannon could be allowed to leave and join Preston on Wednesday.
Cannon was on the bench yesterday for Everton’s opening game of the season, but did not make it onto the pitch. Lewis Dobbin who was on loan at Derby County in League One last season, did come on ahead of Cannon.
Everton Under 21’s are playing Liverpool on Monday, and it is thought Cannon may play that before behind allowed to leave.
A big money offer from Leeds United would certainly throw a spanner in the works for Preston though. There have been so many reports on Cannon this summer that it is impossible to know what to believe. At one stage it seemed as if North End were about to get their man for a £1m loan fee.
The saga continues but perhaps we will know more in the next seven days.