Preston have wrapped up three signings so far this summer, and a fourth is believed to be on the way imminently in Matthew Olosunde.
Defenders Liam Lindsay and Sepp van den Berg have returned from Stoke City and Liverpool respectively after loan spells last season. Lindsay has joined permanently, whilst Van den Berg is back on loan.
Izzy Brown is the first ‘new’ face so to speak. The former Chelsea playmaker joined on a free transfer just a few days ago having been released by the Blues.
The attention now turns to right back, which has been a problem area for many years.
Finding a right back
Darnell Fisher was very good, but finding competition was tough. Joe Rafferty hasn’t really impressed there, and Fisher was sold to Middlesbrough back in January.
Signing another right had to be a top priority this summer, and Preston appear to have found one in Matthew Olosunde.
The Lancashire Evening Post reported earlier this month that North End had held talks with Olosunde after he turned down a new deal at Rotherham United.
Preston have looked at other options, including Osaze Urhoghide of Sheffield Wednesday, but now appear to be settling on Olosunde.
Lancs Live claim a deal is close, and one source has backed that up to Deepdale Digest, claiming that a deal is all but done barring any late hitches.
We would anticipate Olosunde being confirmed as a Preston player on Monday, unless North End fancy doing it today. Olo-Sunday, anyone?
Who is Matthew Olosunde?
The 23-year-old was formerly on the books at Manchester United, but moved on to Rotherham in 2019.
Olounde played with Daniel Iversen with the Millers, meaning the duo could reunite at Preston this summer.
A natural right back, Olosunde has one cap for the United States and now has 64 Football League appearances under his belt for Rotherham.
Olosunde analysis
Chris Kearney – the man behind the Analytics Forest Twitter account – posted some interesting information about Olosunde back in January.
Olosunde was showing up well in key metrics; aerial duels won, defensive duels won, successful defensive actions, progressive runs and interceptions, painting the picture of a right back who can get forward as well as defend.
This move seems to make perfect sense for Preston, and marks another positive addition ahead of the new season if a deal is done.