The Lilywhites are yet to strengthen Paul Heckingbottom’s squad
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Our first Preston North End transfer Q&A of the January transfer window...
Paul Wareing: Do you agree that this is the time to strengthen more than ever given our current league position & serious possibility of cementing a play-off place, OR even more? The summer was definitely more of a well needed overhaul which was a success in the main, but do you agree that it's now quality over quantity we require now to add that extra X-factor.
GH: Definitely, Paul. As written earlier this week, North End deserve huge credit for the job they did in the summer. With a modest outlay in this day and age, the Lilywhites managed to assemble a squad that will give it a right go this year - most expectations were probably exceeded and they aren’t far away.
But, manager Paul Heckingbottom has made no secret of the fact he feels Preston need more. Stefan Thordarson and Will Keane’s exits can only help but clearly, PNE don’t have much to spend this month - Heckingbottom admitted this hard it will be ‘tough’ but North End have got to try.
Others around them will absolutely strengthen. Success in the January market tends to be hit and miss but that isn’t a reason to not do business; we have seen in recent years just how big of an impact players can have. It would be a great shame, in the future, to look back at this season, and January specifically, with any regret.
Preston aren’t often in this position. Many things have aligned at once and there’s a real opportunity for them to get into the play-offs this season. Once you’re in there, you just never know what could happen. If you don’t seize this moment and give yourselves the best chance, you never will.
Norman Hargreaves: What are the chances of getting Alfie Devine on a permanent transfer?
GH: We asked Heckingbottom this week about the possibility of signing any of this season’s loan players permanently, and whether promotion would be the only realistic way. He didn’t have a great deal to say other than that it’s looking too far ahead. The buy-option in Devine’s loan agreement is thought to be around the £4.5million mark.
At the time of his signature, there was a bit of surprise to see that inserted given it is more than double what PNE have ever paid for a player in their history. Now, with North End sitting fourth, it doesn’t look quite as daft. Still, though, you’d be very surprised to see the Lilywhites trigger that if still in the Championship next year.
If Preston brought in a decent fee of their own then that would certainly help. Without that, you’d struggle to have great optimism. It would be a tough one to take because Devine is an incredibly likable player, with quality, whom Heckingbottom values highly and enjoys working with.
At 21, his career is only just getting started and the midfielder is proving himself on the Championship stage. There were rumours of PNE pushing the boat out to try and sign Tom Cannon for a huge fee a few years ago; perhaps something similar will be attempted if Devine has a strong second half to the season.
Shaun Thompson: Given that this season is the most realistic chance of achieving something, will we finally have an ambitious transfer window where we invest more on players than we do on excuses?
GH: A similar one to Paul’s. In terms of investment specifically, though, North End don’t seem to have much money to play with at all. As Peter Ridsdale often states the budget for the year is set out; it doesn’t go up or down. PNE’s boss didn’t rule out permanent additions but hazarded a guess that it’ll be a couple of short-term additions this month.
Gary B Johnson: Anything happening at all regarding incomings?
GH: Heckingbottom was pretty open on Thursday and suggested one deal is effectively agreed, but PNE are waiting on the selling club to recruit one themselves. We asked him if that is a loan; he replied that there are lots of way ‘round doing things’. That suggests it could be a loan with option/obligation to buy in the summer.
Nothing is thought to be imminent but, with limited funds, Preston are trying to bolster their ranks. Heckingbottom does not seem the type to sit back and coast through the window - you’d expect him to be making his feelings clear and pushing the club to add. He wants two attackers, plus a midfielder if Armstrong doesn’t come back. Let’s see...
Eric Critchley: What a time to invest in three quality players. We sit in the play offs and this would be the perfect time to get players in that are going to keep us there! We definitely have the manager, so now is the time for the club to back him big style.
GH: Not a question from Eric, but I’m sure the sentiment will be shared far and wide among the PNE faithful. The manager, squad, current league position, openness of the division... it ticks every box for a moment Preston have to try and grab with both hands.