Arsenal are planning to loan out striker Folarin Balogun in January – and Preston have to be involved in the race to sign him next month.
The Athletic claim that Arsenal have decided to allow Balogun to go out on loan at the end of the season.
A host of clubs are thought to be keen, with a Championship loan looking likely.
Middlesbrough, Millwall and Swansea City are all keen, and Preston must make an attempt to get in on the race.
Balogun, 20, has been branded ‘unique’ by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and has a bright future ahead of him.
With 14 goals and two assists in just 10 Premier League 2 outings this season, Balogun is dominating developmental football.
Balogun isn’t quite ready for Premier League action though, and a stint in the Championship could serve him well.
So why Preston?
Well, Balogun would have a strong chance at regular first-team starts if he joined North End.
Emil Riis has had a number of different partners up top this season, but Balogun could make that position his own if he joined.
That’s the key for Balogun – playing time. Starting a number of games for North End may aid his development more than being in and out at Boro or a perceivably ‘bigger’ club.
Other young strikers have gone on to strong careers after Preston loan spells; Andy Carroll, Josh King, Danny Welbeck, Stephy Mavididi, Lukas Nmecha.
Mavididi came in from Arsenal, and whilst his spell didn’t exactly go to plan, that Championship stint served him well for the future.
Preston have tried for Premier League loans in recent times, going for the likes of Joe Gelhardt and even Rhian Brewster.
Balogun is another chance to land an exciting striker, and that culture change from London to Lancashire would develop him as a person just as much as a player.
North End may well miss out, but when an exciting goalscorer becomes available on loan, Preston have to be interested.