Preston showed an interest in Cyrus Christie this summer but the free agent is now reportedly set to join Hull City.
Ryan Lowe has made it clear all summer long that he wants a new right wing back.
Brad Potts has performed admirably in that position, but he’s not a natural in that area of the pitch.
A number of names have been linked – Moses Odubajo, Ethan Laird and Brooke Norton-Cuffy spring to mind – but none have signed.
With a week of the transfer window to go, Preston still haven’t sorted this problem – and now another previous target is on the move.
North End had a look into signing Cyrus Christie this summer before seemingly ending their interest in the Irishman.
It’s unclear just what happened with Christie, but he has remained a free agent in the opening weeks of the season.
Some had wondered whether Preston could go back in for Christie, but that prospect appears to have been ruled out.
The Guardian’s Will Unwin is reporting that Hull City are on the verge of signing Christie on a free transfer.
The Tigers have huge ambition under Turkish owner Acun Ilicali and look set to make Christie their 16th signing of the summer.
Christie’s Fulham contract finished at the end of June and he ticked a lot of Preston’s boxes.
The 29-year-old is a proven Championship player and has shown his quality with Coventry City, Derby County, Middlesbrough, Fulham, Nottingham Forest and Swansea City.
A natural as a right back or right wing back, Christie can get forward well and would have provided the attacking thrust Lowe is seeking.
The problem for Preston when targeting a player of Christie’s profile – proven in the Championship and on the international stage – is usually wages.
Preston don’t tend to pay big wages and there is usually another Championship club who can cough up the cash.
If the deal isn’t right for North End then they have every right to walk away, but seeing Christie head to Hull whilst Preston desperately seek another right wing back is tough to take.