Preston are heading into deadline day needing a number of signings, and one big-name target may be on the move.
North End ideally need a goalkeeper, a left back and a striker signed before Thursday’s 5pm deadline, but that seems like a lot of business to do in less than 24 hours.
One name linked last month was winger Scott Sinclair, in what seemed like an ambitious pursuit. The Herald reported that North End were eyeing a £2.5million bid for Sinclair, which would be a club record.
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The Lancashire Evening Post then reported that it was just a loan North End wanted, as the money involved in a permanent deal was beyond Alex Neil’s side.
With Sinclair inside the final year of his deal, a loan move won’t be on the cards. It’s somewhat unlikely that Trevor Hemmings will cough up the money for Sinclair, even after Callum Robinson’s exit.
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Sinclair would provide goals from the left wing position after Robinson’s exit, having hit 61 goals in 156 games for Celtic. The 30-year-old would be a marquee addition for North End, finally showing some ambition.
Talk of North End moving for Sinclair has died down recently, but may now spark up again. That’s because Sinclair has been left out of the Celtic squad to face CFR Cluj in their Champions League qualifier tonight – and didn’t even make the trip to Romania.
That’s particularly curious as Mikey Johnston is out injured, and it all points towards Sinclair leaving Celtic before the English transfer window shuts at 5pm on Thursday.
Preston may be hoping to strike a cheap deal for Sinclair, given that he will be able to leave for free next summer, and boss Lennon has commented on the situation.
Speaking to BBC Sportsound (18:42), Lennon has admitted that Sinclair isn’t with the Celtic squad. Lennon admitted there is interest in Sinclair, and whilst nothing is concrete yet, that could change by tomorrow’s deadline – and hopefully North End are pushing for a deal, even if it still seems unlikely.
“No he’s not [with the party],” said Lennon. “There’s a bit of interest, but nothing concrete. That might change over the next 24 hours,” he added.