Preston have been quiet in this summer’s transfer window, but a rather bizarre rumour has emerged today.
Portuguese newspaper Record report that Preston are in advanced talks to sign Benfica midfielder Alfa Semedo on loan.
It’s claimed that Semedo will be joining Preston on a season-long loan, and the deal should be announced in the coming hours.
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Who is Alfa Semedo?
Semedo, 23, started in the ranks at Benfica before heading to Moreirense, only to return to Benfica for €2.5million (£2.3million) in 2018.
The Guinea-Bissau ace joined Espanyol on loan in 2019, and then spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest.
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Semedo played 24 Championship games, registering two goals. He is a big, physical presence at 6ft 2in tall, and predominantly plays as a defensive midfielder.
He blew hot and cold at Forest last season, but if these reports are to be believed, he is earning another crack at Championship football.
Does this make sense?
It’s worth pointing out that this rumour first emerged on Twitter, and from a hardly reputable source; a reporter from the Metro that doesn’t appear to exist.
Record may have got carried with that rumour, but they claim to have their own information that Semedo is Deepdale-bound.
The weird thing is that, if Preston didn’t need to bolster any position, it’s midfield. We already have Ben Pearson, Ryan Ledson, Alan Browne, Paul Gallagher, Tom Bayliss and Brad Potts who can play centrally.
Signing Semedo would only make sense if a combative midfielder is on the move, such as Pearson, or if Browne is being converted to play at right back permanently – so for now, we’re rather sceptical of this rumour.