Rangers and Burnley have failed with moves to sign Fleetwood Town defender James Hill, who has been on Preston North End’s wish list.
That’s according to the Daily Record, who claim that a number of clubs made moves to sign Hill during this past summer.
Rangers made a bid, as did Premier League duo Burnley and Southampton, but Fleetwood felt the offers didn’t get near their valuation.
Everton, Liverpool and Manchester United are now joining the race too, with a January move possible.
Hill is out of contract next summer and may simply walk away instead of signing a new deal. With such lofty interest, you can hardly blame him.
The 19-year-old made his England Under-20 debut on Monday and continues to shine in League One.
Football League World reported in August that PNE fancy signing Hill, whose father Matt played for Preston between 2005 and 2008.
We understand Hill was a top target, but PNE’s interest somewhat faded when Sepp van den Berg’s loan return from Liverpool was secured.
Van den Berg will head back to Anfield in the summer, and we would love to see Hill arrive at PNE to replace him.
Yet with Rangers, Burnley, Everton, Southampton, Liverpool and Manchester United now keen, PNE may have missed the boat on Hill.