According to The Sun on Sunday (17/01, p59), Preston are now willing to get striker Jayden Stockley leave the club on loan.
It’s stated that North End are happy to move Stockley out until the end of the season, but want any suitors to pay his £7,000-a-week wages in full.
This poses something of a problem. The salary caps in League One and Two mean clubs may not have the funds available to commit to such a deal.
SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
We have heard from one source that Sunderland are keen on Stockley, but that’s nothing concrete as things stand.
Preston started with Seani Maguire up top against Bristol City and had two strikers on the bench, but Stockley was noticeably left completely out of the squad.
MORE PRESTON STORIES
The 27-year-old really struggled against Wycombe Wanderers in the FA Cup last weekend, and Alex Neil now being open to letting him go isn’t a huge shock.
Stockley has only managed nine goals in 71 games for Preston since arriving from Exeter City for £750,000 in January 2019, and his record this season – one goal in 19 games – just isn’t enough.
Few can really doubt Stockley’s effort and endeavour, but he just hasn’t contributed enough in a Preston shirt – and if North End can offload his wages to bring in another new signing, Neil would likely take that.