Hull City have been slapped with a transfer embargo – and that could be a boost for Preston’s hopes of signing Regan Slater.
The Tigers are one of three Championship clubs who now won’t be able to sign players for cash this summer, and will be limited to free agents or loans.
This embargo has really thrown a spanner in the works for Hull boss Grant McCann, with key targets now potentially set to slip through the net.
One of them could be Sheffield United midfielder Slater, who has been chased by Preston too.
Lancs Live reported in May that Preston are keen to sign Slater this summer, though Sheffield United appointing Slavisa Jokanovic as their new manager has delayed a decision on his future.
Slater spent last season on loan at Hull, helping the club return to the Championship by making 27 appearances in League One.
Hull Live reported that Slater preferred returning to Hull over heading elsewhere, but unless Sheffield United are prepared to loan him out again, a move to the KCOM Stadium just became unlikely.
This may now give Preston a window of opportunity to swoop in and sign Slater before Hull can make sales to get out of their embargo.
Preston do have a number of midfielders already, but Slater could be another option to protect the back line. If North End are to sign another midfielder, it really has to be a primarily defensive one.
Slater fits the bill for North End, and if Preston are still keen on signing him, this really is the time to make the move and beat Hull to a deal.