Preston North End are reportedly eyeing a move for Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Sam Tickle but face competition from Birmingham City.
PNE have yet to make a January signing and fans aren’t exactly anticipating a late flurry of activity.
A surprise rumour has though materialised with The Sun’s Alan Nixon suggesting that PNE are interested in Wigan Athletic goalkeeper.
It’s suggested that North End have made ‘late checks’ on Tickle ahead of a late move.
Birmingham City are also understood to be interested but PNE scouts have allegedly been tracking Tickle’s progress.
Who is Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Sam Tickle?
Tickle hails from Warrington and started his career in the Wigan youth ranks before being released in 2018, aged just 16.
Non-league Pilkington snapped Tickle up and gave him first-team playing time, temping Wigan into re-signing Tickle in 2019.
After loan spells at Nantwich Town and Warrington Rylands, Tickle has stepped up to become Wigan’s first-choice stopper this season.
The 21-year-old has racked up 35 first-team appearances this season and even earned an England Under-21 call-up back in September.
Hailed as a ‘special talent’ by Latics boss Shaun Maloney, Tickle has impressed in League One this season and North End are now allegedly keen.
PNE raided Wigan for two players over the summer as Will Keane and Jack Whatmough left the DW Stadium for Deepdale, causing some irritation inside the Latics.
A move to PNE doesn’t really make sense right now though as North End have two settled stoppers in Freddie Woodman and Dai Cornell.
The latter only recently signed a new contract and signing Tickle only really adds up if Woodman is expected to move on this week.
There have been no rumours about Woodman moving on but maybe PNE are just keeping an eye on goalkeeping talent in case one is needed.