Brighton and Hove Albion are pushing to keep midfielder Marc Leonard after January links with Preston North End.
Leonard was a somewhat surprise rumour in January as few really felt PNE needed a midfielder.
There were links suggesting that Ben Whiteman would be leaving the club, but they amounted to nothing.
Ben Woodburn, Daniel Johnson and Josh Onomah are out of contract this summer and could leave, which may just open the door for new midfielders to arrive.
Leonard could be on the radar after January links.
Daily Express reporter Charlie Parker-Turner reported that PNE were interested in snapping up Leonard on a permanent deal in January.
Swansea City were also thought to be interested after being impressed with his performances on loan at Northampton Town.
January passed without any deal being done though as Leonard stayed on at Northampton.
Leonard has played as a deeper lying midfielder like Whiteman and also in a box-to-box role, showing his versatility at Sixfields.
PNE may well have Leonard in mind for the summer but Brighton are very keen to keep him.
Leonard signed a new contract in 2021, keeping him at Brighton until the summer of 2023 – but the Seagulls don’t want to lose him when that deal ends this summer.
The Daily Record now claim that Brighton are trying to fend off interest in Leonard by triggering an extension in his contract.
That would keep Leonard on the Brighton books for another year, but would also preserve his transfer value if he is to be sold this summer.
Any hope of PNE signing Leonard – if they are indeed interested – isn’t over just yet but it would get a little more complicated if Brighton to activate that extension.