According to The Irish Mirror, Preston-linked playmaker Jack Byrne has chosen a move to APOEL Nicosia instead.
It’s claimed that Byrne has already completed a medical with the Cypriot side, with his future seemingly now settled.
The move means Byrne will be reuniting with APOEL boss Mick McCarthy, who gave Byrne is Republic of Ireland debut in 2019.
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That may have swung the balance in APOEL’s favour, with Byrne taking time to make his decision before eventually picking a reunion with McCarthy.
Byrne, 24, heads to Cyprus as a free agent after his Shamrock Rovers contract came to an end, and that means Preston have missed out.
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Protathlima in Cyprus recently claimed that Preston were rivalling APOEL for Byrne’s signature, having been active in the Irish market in recent years.
Add in that the Lancashire Evening Post suggested last week that Preston are seeking another playmaker, and a deal to sign Byrne for free would have made some sense.
However, Byrne is heading to sunnier climbs after 16 goals and 10 assists in 64 games for Shamrock Rovers, and Preston will have to look elsewhere if they want a new creative force.