Preston North End are unlikely to be in the market for a goalkeeper this summer, but that didn’t stop a surprise rumour emerging in the January transfer window.
Freddie Woodman is a settled number one for PNE and he has battled back from a dip in form earlier this season to kick on once again.
Dai Cornell is his backup and the Welshman was handed a new contract earlier this season, securing his future at Deepdale.
North End seem to be happy between the sticks and the only way we can see this changing is if Woodman leaves any time soon.
Woodman’s contract expires at the end of next season and he is now inside the final 18 months of his deal.
PNE may explore a new deal for Woodman and if he doesn’t want to sign on again, maybe a departure could materialise.
We aren’t really expecting that to happen but one January rumour suggested that North End have a target in mind if a goalkeeper is needed…
Sam Tickle makes England Under-21 debut after PNE links
The man in question was Wigan Athletic talent Sam Tickle.
Reports late in January suggested that North End had made ‘late checks’ on a move for Tickle.
The Latics are probably sick of PNE after Jack Whatmough and Will Keane moved to Deepdale last summer, but a move for Tickle never quite added up.
Sure, he’s a promising player – a ‘special talent’ according to Latics boss Shaun Maloney – but the presence of Woodman means adding a goalkeeper would have been bizarre.
Well, Tickle has now advanced his career having made his first start for the England Under-21’s on Tuesday night.
Usual number one James Trafford was promoted to the England senior setup and that meant Tickle was able to start against Luxembourg.
Tickle kept a clean sheet in a huge 7-0 win at Bolton Wanderers’ Toughsheet Community Stadium.
The 21-year-old has played every single minute of Wigan’s League One campaign this season and seems to be thriving with first-team football under his belt.
Clearly highly rated in the England setup, Tickle may be a player whose value is growing by the week with Premier League clubs surely on his case now.
We were always a little baffled by the Tickle to PNE rumours and really can’t see a move materialising this summer unless Woodman moves on.