Preston want Cameron Archer back but Aston Villa may instead prefer to send the striker to Queens Park Rangers this summer.
North End pounced to sign Archer on loan from Villa during the January transfer window.
Ryan Lowe’s friendship with fellow Liverpudlian Steven Gerrard certainly helped Lowe and Archer made an instant impact with a debut goal at West Bromwich Albion.
Archer ended up scoring seven times in 20 games for Preston, including the winner against bitter rivals Blackpool.
The 20-year-old became a fan favourite at Preston but is now heading back to Aston Villa for pre-season.
Top Scoring XI This Season (2021-22)
Preston want Cameron Archer back
North End director Peter Ridsdale has already outlined that Preston hope to get Archer back on loan and are saving a place in the squad for him.
MORE PRESTON STORIES
Yet there is now mounting interest in Archer with Rangers, Middlesbrough and Watford now believed to be keen.
Another worrying report has emerged today with The Express claiming that Aston Villa may prefer to send Archer to Queens Park Rangers.
Steven Gerrard’s assistant coach Michael Beale has left Aston Villa this summer in order to become QPR boss.
It’s now suggested that Villa will give priority on loan signings to Beale in order to try and give him a helping hand in his first managerial job.
Archer is one of the players named as a possible loan addition for QPR, alongside the likes of Jaden Philogene-Bidace and Kaine Kesler Hayden.
This would be a bitter pill to swallow for North End.
It would be one thing for Archer to head to a top-end Championship club or even a team in European competition like Rangers.
Yet QPR finished just two points ahead of Preston last season and seeing Archer join them wouldn’t feel like a huge step up – especially when you factor in the continuity factor that North End can offer.
Preston were aided by a Gerrard friendship when signing Archer but could now be stung by one this summer.