2024 is here and that means Preston North End are embarking on yet another transfer window with the January market upon us.
The summer window was a busy one as PNE brought in
Jack Whatmough, Calvin Ramsay, Duane Holmes, Liam Millar, Mads Frøkjær-Jensen, Layton Stewart, Milutin Osmajic and Will Keane all arrived in a strong summer window.
Sadly, North End are now in dire form having won just four of the last 19 games and seven defeats in the last 10.
Ryan Lowe is subsequently under enormous pressure but it may prove to be a quiet January window for North End; here is our five-point plan for PNE’s transfer business…
Explore centre back addition
One real concern for PNE is the defensive problems amid a record of just three clean sheets this season and only one since the 2nd of September.
More athleticism and ball-playing ability is needed at the back and PNE have been linked with Hammarby defender Nathaniel Adjei as a potential addition.
Pace is a real issue in North End’s back line and with both Patrick Bauer and Greg Cunningham out of contract in the summer, adding some young blood into the defensive options would be ideal.
The budget won’t be huge for January though, and North End may be left to focus on the Premier League loan market for a defensive option.
Target Liam Millar permanently
If there is money available for a permanent signing, then we would rather see PNE push for the signing of winger Liam Millar than bring in a new face.
The Canadian winger is on a season-loan loan from Basel and there appears to be no option to buy as part of the deal.
Millar has been electric of late for PNE and terrorised Leeds United on Boxing Day, picking up a goal and an assist.
Millar’s pace is a major threat but he marries that with the ability and desire to go past full backs and create something in the final third.
That is something PNE have been lacking and if there is an opportunity to get Millar tied down permanently, we would love to see North End go for it.
Find Layton Stewart a loan move
Only one of PNE’s summer signings has yet to start a Championship game this season; striker Layton Stewart.
Signed from Liverpool over the summer, it was clear that Stewart was coming in as a project for the future.
The 21-year-old has only managed 14 Championship minutes this season though and, having never been out on loan in his Liverpool days, he needs football.
A loan move to League One would be perfect, giving Stewart a chance to play senior football on a regular basis before returning to North End in the summer.
With Osmajic, Keane, Ched Evans and the returning Emil Riis ahead of Stewart in the pecking order, it’s imperative that he plays somewhere in the second half of the season rather than kicking his heels around Deepdale.
Push for Alan Browne and Ben Whiteman deals
PNE have a few contract decisions to make in 2024 but two of the most pressing ones are over midfielders Alan Browne and Ben Whiteman.
Both players are out of contract in the summer and are now able to negotiate pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs.
Club captain Browne has today brought up 10 years at PNE and is a hugely important player with more than 350 North End appearances to his name
Whiteman maybe hasn’t been at his best this season but he has shown his quality in the Championship before and surely won’t be short of suitors.
Having seen Daniel Johnson leave for free in 2023, PNE can’t afford to see more midfield quality exit the club for nothing and whilst contract offers have been made, North End may need to push for answers during the January window amid fears they could leave for free.
Decide whether to back or sack Ryan Lowe
This theme will dictate PNE’s January business.
Large sections of the fanbase have now had enough of Lowe and are calling on PNE to ditch him just over two years since his arrival.
North End stuck by Lowe last week but three points in three games since then means the pressure is certainly still on.
PNE will now face a big call on whether to back Lowe with signings where possible, even if only short-term loans until the summer, or whether to hold off striking deals in case a new manager is needed.
The window is now underway and Lowe remains in charge, but more defeats like today’s 2-0 loss at Sunderland will only increase calls for the biggest change of all in January – a new manager.