Preston are eyeing Cambridge United striker Sam Smith with Peter Ridsdale allegedly scouting him in action over the international break.
You can expect to hear a number of strikers being linked with Preston ahead of the January transfer window.
Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Sunderland was North End’s eighth blank in 11 Championship games this season.
Three goals in that time is truly abysmal and Preston could find themselves in real danger if goals aren’t added to this team one way or another.
Preston are eyeing Cambridge United striker Sam Smith
One name in the mix is thought to be Cambridge attacker Smith.
The Sun’s Alan Nixon reports via Patreon that North End director Peter Ridsdale went to watch Morecambe v Cambridge United over the international break.
Smith and Morecambe attacker Cole Stockton are thought to be the reason for Ridsdale’s trip, but neither were on the scoresheet in a 2-1 win for Cambridge.
Smith, 24, was born in Manchester and actually started his career with Manchester United, spending 10 years in their youth setup.
Reading snapped him up in 2014 but after loans with Bishop’s Stortford, Oxford United, Shrewsbury Town, Cambridge, Tranmere Rovers and Cheltenham Town, Smith was let go in 2021.
Cambridge were more than happy to take Smith back permanently and it proved to be a masterstroke of a signing.
Smith smashed 21 goals in 57 outings across all competitions last season, becoming one of League One’s most dangerous strikers.
Smith has notched four goals in 14 games this season, but three of those came in one game as he ran riot against Burton Albion in August.
Also capable of playing from the right flank and cutting in on his left foot, Smith can offer some versatility in the final third.
Out of contract at the end of the season, Smith could be viewed as a bargain signing for North End in January and he may well fancy a move back up north.
The question would be whether Smith – who was nominated for League One Player of the Month – can make the step up to the Championship and be the answer to North End’s goalscoring problems.