Preston North End are in the market for another striker, but Ched Evans likely wasn’t a name many expected to be on the radar.
This story has taken a few twists and turns over the last week, so let’s go from the beginning to where we’re up to right now.
The Daily Mail reported that Evans had been told he can leave Fleetwood, and Preston were showing an interest in a deal.
The Lancashire Evening Post quickly refuted those reports, claiming sources at Deepdale had suggested he wasn’t a target at all this month.
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The reports have continued in recent days; Football Insider claimed talks were at an advanced stage, and The Sun claim similar, though Sunderland and Ipswich Town are also in the race.
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Press reports closer to home now suggest Preston are considering a move; the Lancashire Evening Post and Lancs Live both going with similar information.
For days now, we’ve been hoping this is a smokescreen, but unless North End are pulling off the misdirect of the century, we do believe Preston are nearing a move for the Welshman.
Put simply, we don’t think Evans is the answer. He’s 32 and being bombed out by a League One club on account of his behaviour, so why are North End even interested?
He’s scored five goals in 17 games this season, and hasn’t played in the Championship since a goalless nine-game stint at Sheffield United in 2018.
Evans’ off-field history is well-documented, and we’d recommend reading this from The Independent on the matter, because it’s important to mention with Evans.
Even if you somehow overlook that situation, Evans simply isn’t an upgrade on the likes of Jayden Stockley or Louis Moult, so just why Preston want to sign him is bizarre – and the fallout from such a move could be huge.