Man Utd eyeing up summer swoop for Preston North End star | OneFootball

The Lilywhites man has caught the attention of the Old Trafford hierarchy.

Manchester United have identified Preston North End goalkeeper Freddie Woodman as a summer transfer target.

That's according to journalist Alan Nixon reporting via Patreon on Sunday.

The 28-year-old has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with an ankle injury by Lilywhites boss Paul Heckingbottom.

Prior to that setback, the former England youth international had been enjoying an impressive campaign for North End, and has seemingly caught the attention of the Old Trafford hierarchy as a result.

Manchester United shortlist Preston's Freddie Woodman as potential summer transfer option

As reported by Nixon, the Red Devils' goalkeeper search has taken them to Deepdale, and more specifically, Woodman.

The North End shot-stopper is out of contract at the end of the season, and Heckingbottom has been rather coy when it comes to confirming whether the club will commit to tying the goalkeeper down long-term in recent weeks.

Nixon states that United have been checking in on Woodman prior to suffering his injury, and that he is in the frame for a move to Manchester along with Blackburn keeper, Aynsley Pears, as Ruben Amorim looks to add a homegrown goalkeeper to his squad to help hit registration requirements.

Perhaps in response to this interest, Nixon's report also reveals that Preston are taking an interest in Venezia's Jesse Joronen as Woodman's possible replacement.

The 32-year-old Finland international is also out of contract this summer with the Serie A side, where he has been playing a backup role for the majority of the season.

Preston may struggle to convince Woodman into contract extension if Man United interest is concrete

Regardless of their struggles in the Premier League this season, the history, the stadium and the brand won't dampen the allure of playing for Manchester United for many.

Given United's issues in goal this term, Woodman may well view it as a prime opportunity to head to Old Trafford and compete for a starting role next season, and that temptation may prove far too high should their interest be concrete.

Therefore, Preston may now have a very hard time convincing the former Newcastle United and Swansea City man to pen a new long-term deal at Deepdale, as he will surely want to explore the opportunity of a Red Devils move should an offer land in his lap.

The Lilywhites will have their work cut out to replace him too, as he's been the club's number one goalkeeper ever since he arrived in the summer of 2022 from the Magpies.

As such, it looks set to be a fascinating few weeks in the career of Woodman, and whether or not Preston will indeed be searching for a new starting pair of gloves this summer.