Preston North End are taking a close look at Penrith striker Alfie Brunskill – but Championship rivals Stoke City are also interested.
That’s according to the News and Star up in Cumbria, who claim that Brunskill has been on trial with North End of late.
The 17-year-old attacker has broken into Penrith’s first team setup this season and Preston interest is no shock.
For a start, Brunskill has been working under former Preston winger Chris Humphrey, who was Penrith manager until very recently.
Humphrey was helped out by friend Andy Livingstone – who just happens to be Preston’s head of academy recruitment.
Livingstone will have enjoyed a first-hand look at Brunskill before pushing for North End to bring him in.
Brunskill now has the chance to try and win a contract with Preston – but North End are far from alone in the race.
After his trial spell at Preston, Brunskill will now head for a similar stint with Championship rivals Stoke City.
North End may hope that the Livingstone connection helps them win this race, with Brunskill impressing in Northern League Division One.
We saw Preston dip into the non-league market for Jamie Thomas last summer and may now have seen something in Brunskill too.
Penrith chairman Brian Williams has spoken about Brunskill, telling the News and Star that he is ‘very tricky, confident on the ball and difficult to handle when he gets in the box’.
That’s the kind of thing Preston fans will love to hear, and Brunskill will be a name to keep a close eye on in the months to come as North End weigh up a contract offer.