Preston have considered signing Brooke Norton-Cuffy – but the Arsenal talent has been called into first-team training under Mikel Arteta this week.
North End are fast approaching the transfer deadline but still haven’t managed to bring in a new right wing back.
Ryan Lowe has made it clear since the end of last season that he wanted another option in that area of the pitch.
So far, there have been some false dawns, some deals that just didn’t work out, and many fears that North End won’t find that signing.
Moses Odubajo, Ethan Laird and Cyrus Christie have all gone by the wayside in Preston’s right wing back search, and the same probably goes for Brooke Norton-Cuffy.
Preston have considered signing Brooke Norton-Cuffy
We reported last week that Arsenal talent Norton-Cuffy was a name on Preston’s wish list earlier in the summer transfer window.
Lancs Live have reported similar, but it’s now unlikely that he will be making the move to Deepdale.
Norton-Cuffy, 18, spent the second half of last season on loan at Lincoln City in League One and excelled under Michael Appleton.
The next natural step is for Norton-Cuffy to spend time in the Championship, and he ticks some of North End’s boxes.
Strong, quick and an attacking threat thanks to his desire to drive forward, Norton-Cuffy could have been a dangerous threat at right wing back for Preston.
It has been a big few days for Norton-Cuffy, who signed a new contract with Arsenal just last week.
That is believed to be a pre-cursor to a loan move, but his destination looks unlikely to be Preston as things stand.
Norton-Cuffy has now been able to celebrate in style after Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta called him into first-team training this week.
It’s unlikely that this will lead to first-team minutes; Arsenal have been using Ben White at right back and still have Cedric Soares and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, as well as the returning Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Still, what an experience for the teenager, who may well end up facing Preston this season if he secures a Championship loan deal.