Preston North End are reportedly interested in signing defender Matthew Sorinola on a free transfer after he left Union Saint-Gilloise.
The January transfer window is now just hours away and it’s hard to see PNE doing too much business.
Ryan Lowe and co will likely have to look for loans and bargains after spending on the likes of Mads Frøkjær-Jensen and Milutin Osmajic over the summer.
TEAMtalk now report that PNE are interested in signing Matthew Sorinola but face competition from Middlesbrough, Stoke City and Southampton.
Sorinola has become a free agent having terminated his contract with Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise by mutual consent.
Sorinola is now looking for a new club, so let’s look into his career amid rumoured interest from PNE.
Matthew Sorinola, the story so far
Sorinola hails from Lambeth in South London and started his career at Fulham, spending seven years in the Craven Cottage ranks.
Released as a teenager, Sorinola headed off to Milton Keynes Dons and signed a first professional deal in 2019 before heading off on loan to Beaconsfield Town.
Sorinola became a first-team regular for MK Dons in the 2020-21 season, racking up 43 appearances in League one.
A number of clubs showed an interest in Sorinola but he chose a move to Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium, owned by Brighton and Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom.
The move didn’t really work out for Sorinola as he struggled for first-team action and he spent last season on loan at Swansea City.
Sorinola returned to Belgium over the summer but hasn’t made a single appearance this season and has only been in the matchday squad once.
With his career stalling, Sorinola has now secured an exit and may return to England in the January window.
Matthew Sorinola player profile
- Age: 22
- Date of birth: 19/02/2001
- Position: Wing back
- Club: None
- Former clubs: Milton Keynes Dons, Beaconsfield Town, Union Saint-Gilloise, Swansea City
- Nationality: English
Matthew Sorinola, what they say
“I love Matty, I feel such a strong connection with him. I shared a dressing room with him. He’s a brilliant person, and is a brilliant player. It has been a pleasure watching him play and develop,” – Russell Martin, 2021.
How Matthew Sorinola fits in
Sorinola primarily played as a wing back when emerging at MK Dons and has actually played on both sides.
Naturally right-footed, Sorinola has pretty much split his time evenly between playing on the left and right flanks.
PNE regularly play with wing backs under Ryan Lowe but a cheap option to play on both flanks could be ideal.
Brad Potts continues to feature on the right side but Calvin Ramsay has yet to make an impact since joining on loan from Liverpool.
On the left, Robbie Brady has suffered a tough season, Kian Best may not be ready for a starring role and Liam Millar is better further forward.
Sorinola could give PNE an option on both flanks and crucially wouldn’t break the bank as a free agent.
The concern is that Sorinola didn’t exactly shine on loan at Swansea City and there are questions over whether he can rediscover his best form.
This would be a cheap punt for North End but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Sorinola reunite with Russell Martin at Southampton given his admiration for the player.