Preston North End urged to make "no-brainer" transfer move for 12-goal striker this summer | OneFootball

FLW has spoken to fan pundit Darren, who has reservations over talk that Callum Robinson could be returning to Preston North End this summer.

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk‘ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Preston North End have a lot of work to do this summer to improve on their 20th-placed finish this past season in the Championship, having finished just a point above the relegation places at the end of the 2024-25 season and winning just one of their last 15 matches.

Manager Paul Heckingbottom remains in his position despite this poor finish to the campaign, and one player who has been linked with a return to the club is striker Callum Robinson, who previously played for the Lilywhites between 2014 and 2019.

A fan favourite among the fanbase, could we see the Republic of Ireland international make a sensational homecoming this summer, after it has been claimed by the Irish Examiner that PNE have interest in re-uniting with Robinson.

Preston North End, Callum Robinson verdict issued after fresh interest emerges

Football League World's PNE fan pundit Darren Watson has said that a decision to bring Robinson would be a "no-brainer", given his experience and especially his form last season for relegated Cardiff City.

"I think it's a no-brainer, really", Darren told FLW,

"Preston fans love Callum Robinson and want him back at the club. He was a good servant for us when he was with Preston North End and one of the fan favourites as well.

"But I do think you have to look at his age. If Will Keane does go, it's going to be a like-for-like replacement, and you've got to look at bringing a player if we've let one go because we still need to have a summer of recruitment.

"I'm very happy with the current transfer window. The additions we've made are very good, and I'm happy with the club going out and getting these players.

"But Callum Robinson was one of my favourite players for a time at Preston. He always put a good shift in, always got on the ball, always wanted to go out and score goals, which you want from a striker.

"If he was to come in, it would be a like-for-like replacement for Will; I wouldn't bring him in if Will Keane doesn't go but it's an option, and he'd be welcome back at Preston North End."

Callum Robinson had an impressive 2024-25 season with struggling Cardiff CityCallum Robinson had two spells withPrestontowards the beginning of his career: a loan stint from Aston Villa during the 2014-15 season, and then a second loan term the following season, which became permanent in the summer of 2016.

He stayed with the club for a further three years before leaving for Sheffield United in 2019 in a £8 million deal, and has played for West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff City since then.

His figures last season with Cardiff were impressive; 12 League goals from 34 appearances is a decent return for a team which ended the season bottom of the table, and you'd imagine he won't want to play League One football if he can help it.

The now-30-year-old Robinson would of course cost a fee, having signed a new two-year deal in South Wales earlier this year, but if the figure is sensible, then recruiting a forward who had the record the Ireland international did last season would be smart business, especially with Heckingbottom being in desperate need of new attacking signings.