£6k-a-week Preston North End star could be big loser as Lilywhites sign ex-Sheffield Wednesday man | OneFootball

Preston North End could be looking to move the striker on this summer

Preston North End have been extremely active during the transfer window as they look to overhaul their squad.

The past few seasons have seen an era come to somewhat of an end at Deepdale, with the likes of Alan Browne, Ryan Ledson, Emil Riis and Daniel Johnson all moving on to pastures new.

Further departures for players such as Duane Holmes and Freddie Woodman, alongside loan deals for Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Sam Greenwood, Jayden Meghoma and Ryan Porteous ending have forced Paul Heckingbottom into some extensive recruitment.

Odeluga Offiah, Daniel Iversen, Jordan Thompson, Thierry Small, Pol Valentín and Daniel Jebbison have all been acquired by the Lilywhites, and with Ched Evans also leaving the club, PNE have snapped up veteran striker Michael Smith following his Sheffield Wednesday exit.

Preston North End's Michael Smith capture could be bad news for Will Keane

Michael Smith recently left Sheffield Wednesday after handing in his notice following two months of unpaid wages.

The Sheffield Star reported that PNE were in the race to secure the 33-year-old’s services, and the deal has now been done to take Smith to Deepdale on a two-year deal.

With Smith now officially part of Paul Heckingbottom's striker options, it would leave them with Milutin Osmajic, Jebbison, Smith and Will Keane, with it plausible that they could also add a marquee striker signing later in the window to that as well.

This would perhaps leave Heckingbottom overstocked in that department, and Keane could be the most likely option to make way.

The 32-year-old signed for North End two years ago from Wigan Athletic and enjoyed a flying first term at Deepdale, netting 13 goals and providing three assists in 38 Championship appearances to finish as PNE's top scorer in 2023-24.

However, a series of injury issues disrupted the striker’s consistency last season, with the former Wigan Athletic marksman scoring just three times during the 2024/25 second tier campaign.

It was clear that Keane’s physical attributes had taken a turn for the worse following his injuries, with his usually sharp link-up play lacking somewhat.

His ability to sniff out chances seemingly faded, and with Smith inbound, it is likely that Keane could be the striker chosen to make way, with just one year remaining on his current PNE contract.

Both forwards use their height and stature to help create chances alongside scoring, and it wouldn’t make sense for North End to have two players of such similar profiles.

Preston North End need another striking option - even with Michael Smith addition

The 2024/25 campaign almost ended in disaster for Preston North End, as they didn’t pick up a single win in their final eight league games and came within a point of relegation.

A huge reason for the Lilywhites’ precarious position was their inability to win games, as they drew a division-high 20 times across 46 matches.

After losing Emil Riis for free, it’s crucial that PNE replace his goals adequately, and at this moment in time, Smith and Jebbison don’t represent that based on recent stats.

Therefore, even with the former Sheffield Wednesday man arriving at Deepdale, Heckingbottom and co must remain in the market for a new striker.

If they decide to stick with what they’ve got, it could begin to cause issues throughout the season and spark frustration among the fan base.