Preston North End have been linked with Manchester United’s Dan Gore but he could now end up joining rivals Blackpool.
PNE fans probably weren’t expecting a midfielder to be a top priority during this month’s transfer window.
Ryan Ledson, Ali McCann, Ben Whiteman and Alan Browne are all at Ryan Lowe’s disposal, so North End have some pretty decent options in the engine room.
However, links to Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden are accelerating with talks allegedly underway over a potential deal.
Hayden isn’t the only midfielder linked of late, with Manchester United’s Dan Gore mentioned in December – but he could end up with PNE’s bitter rivals instead…
Blackpool showing strong interest in PNE-linked Dan Gore
It had been suggested that North End were expressing an interest in taking Gore on loan for the second half of the season.
However, reports early in January indicated that a deal for Gore to join North End was now considered unlikely with guaranteed playing time in League One preferred over a more risky move to the Championship.
Links to Gore have cooled down as a result and the Daily Mail now state that the United talent could actually head to Blackpool.
It’s suggested that Gore has received serious interest from the likes of Bolton Wanderers, Blackpool, Shrewsbury Town and Fleetwood Town.
Championship clubs – probably including PNE – are keen but a League One move is considered a stronger possibility.
Blackpool sit eighth in League One and are looking to win promotion back to the Championship alongside PNE.
Gore could help them accomplish that goal, but a move to fourth-placed Bolton will surely appeal to United too.
PNE appear to be going down a different route, focusing on a more experienced midfielder in Hayden over a young talent in Gore.
The United prospect is highly-regard though and whilst we would have liked to see him in a North End shirt, he may yet end up at Bloomfield Road in a shock turn of events.