Preston have rejected a late loan approach from Cardiff City for striker Seani Maguire with Ryan Lowe keen to keep him at the club.
That’s according to a report from Football Insider, who claim that Cardiff were hoping to take Maguire until the end of the season.
It’s stated that Cardiff boss Steve Morison was impressed with Maguire after the recent FA Cup meeting between the two sides.
Maguire won a penalty in the second half of that game, which Cardiff won 2-1.
That prompted Cardiff to enquire about Maguire’s availability, but Preston have shut down any potential of a last-gasp move.
Boss Lowe is understood to want Maguire to stay at Deepdale and won’t entertain a late switch to South Wales.
That’s despite the fact that Maguire appears to be fourth-choice striker at Preston as things stand.
Emil Riis, Ched Evans and Cameron Archer are Lowe’s preferred strikers and Maguire may find it difficult to land big minutes.
Cardiff seemingly felt they could utilise Maguire until the end of the season, only for Preston to say no.
This move would have seen Maguire reunite with ex-Preston striker Jordan Hugill, who has just joined Cardiff on loan.
Maguire hasn’t been in the goals of late, scoring just twice in 24 games this season. Last season, the Irishman managed only three Championship goals.
After bursting onto the scene in the 2017-18 season, Maguire’s hamstring injuries appear to have just sapped him of a yard of pace.
That has impacted Maguire’s game, but key facets are still there; the work rate, impressive aerial ability for his size and link-up play.
Maguire can still contribute under Lowe, but it would be interesting to see Preston’s stance if Cardiff had offered a cash deal.
It’s very late in the window for Preston to find a replacement, and we can only assume that Cardiff’s chase is over after this rejection.