Preston are chasing Cyrus Christie and hope to have the free agent right wing back snapped up in the coming week.
North End will be desperate to add a right wing back this summer with Ryan Lowe clearly unhappy with the options at his disposal.
Joe Rafferty’s contract wasn’t renewed and Matthew Olosunde – who only arrived last summer – has been transfer-listed.
Brad Potts fared well in that role but isn’t a natural, meaning another option is ultimately needed moving forward.
We have seen the likes of Marlon Fossey and Nathan Byrne linked in recent times, but Christie is now the strongest rumour.
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Preston are chasing Cyrus Christie
The Sun’s Alan Nixon reports that Preston are closing in on a deal for free agent Christie as he prepares to leave Fulham.
Fulham confirmed late in May that they will not be renewing Christie’s contract this summer.
Christie cost Fulham £3.5million back in 2018 but they’re now letting him leave for nothing.
The 29-year-old wing back spent last season on loan at Swansea City, bagging three goals and four assists in 23 appearances.
Christie certainly fits the mould of being a robust Championship player having racked up more than 250 second-tier appearances.
The Irish international – therefore a teammate of Seani Maguire and Alan Browne – will be attracting plenty of Championship interest this summer.
Having shown his attacking threat for many years in the Championship, this would feel like a real coup for North End.
An interesting note is that Nixon usually reports these stories on a Sunday but has gone early with this Christie report, possibly suggesting the a deal is close.
Rumour rating: 8/10. Christie ticks the boxes of being experienced in the Championship whilst also being attack-minded and quick. Christie’s free agent status is incredibly appealing though his wages do give us a reason to be sceptical. Still, Nixon was first to report Preston’s interest in Andre Gray and Freddie Woodman this summer, so these claims have some weight to them.