Preston North End are allegedly willing to let striker Ched Evans leave in January – and Wigan Athletic are keen on a loan deal.
That’s according to The Sun (19/11, p69), who claim that Wigan are leading the race to sign Evans next month.
The Latics need a replacement for Charlie Wyke and Preston are allegedly willing to sanction a deal, despite Evans recently scoring against Middlesbrough and Fulham.
Why Evans leaving Preston could be true
Ryan Lowe tends to like his striker to be mobile. Ryan Hardie, Luke Jephcott and Niall Ennis at Plymouth all have decent enough pace and mobility.
Even when Lowe signed a ‘big man’ in Frank Nouble, he has more pace than you would expect for a man of his size.
Evans doesn’t really have that, so you could question whether he really fits into Lowe’s style of play.
If Preston move Evans out, it may free up some room for Lowe to bring in a a new striker to partner Emil Riis.
You also have to factor in repeated injury problems for Evans this season, which may only get worse as he heads further into his 30’s.
Why Evans leaving North End doesn’t make sense
This would be a very early decision from Lowe, deciding to part ways with Evans just two weeks into his Preston reign.
Evans wasn’t fit to play in Lowe’s only game as Preston boss, so already deciding to let him go just seems a little premature.
Evans has also made an impact off the bench against Middlesbrough and Fulham, providing physicality and intensity.
That’s something that could still come in handy for Lowe, even if Evans is never a nailed-on starter.