"A replacement for Ben Sheaf?" - Pundit urges Coventry City to sign Preston North End man | OneFootball

After over 10 years as a Preston North End player, it remains to be seen if Alan Browne has played his last game for the Lilywhites.

Browne, who joined the Lancashire outfit in January 2014 from Cork City as a teenager, sees his contract at Deepdale expire this summer, and the Republic of Ireland international has been subject to interest from elsewhere - Alan Nixon has reported that Championship sides Coventry City and Sheffield United are keen on a move for the 29-year-old.

However, Nixon's report stated that PNE's offer to Browne is currently better than the terms offered by the other interested clubs, and manager Ryan Lowe recently revealed that Browne had been offered the biggest contract in the club's history to stay.

However, with Coventry City's Ben Sheaf attracting transfer interest from Luton, Fulham and Ipswich Town, the Sky Blues could be looking for a replacement this summer, and Browne could be the perfect fit - especially with no transfer fee to pay.

Carlton Palmer urges Coventry City to secure Alan Browne's signature

Former England international and current pundit Carlton Palmer believes that Coventry will have to make a decision on Ben Sheaf's future soon, with his contract set to expire in 2026, and this could pave the way for a move for Browne to the CBS Arena.

Speaking to Football League World, Palmer said: "Coventry City and Sheffield United are two clubs that are keeping an eye on Preston North End star Alan Browne.

"Alan Browne is a very good midfield player who can play anywhere across the middle of the park, but Preston are keen to keep the player and are said to have offered him an unbelievable contract that both Coventry City and Sheffield United are unable to match at this moment in time.

"His contract is up at the end of the season so he can leave on a free, but the experienced 29-year-old midfielder is said to be edging closer on putting pen to paper for Preston."

However, Palmer believes that Browne's future at Deepdale could be affected by what happens with Ben Sheaf at Coventry City.

He added: "Could he be a replacement for Ben Sheaf? Ben Sheaf is a very good Championship player. He’s out of contract in 2026, so Coventry will have to get a move on and won’t want to let his contract run down.

"Mark Robins will be conscious of this and if he doesn’t put pen to paper, then they will allow Ben Sheaf to leave this summer instead of letting the player run their contract down.

“Of course, Coventry would love to keep Ben Sheaf, but Alan Browne would be a good addition to Coventry City’s midfield next season.

"Mark Robins hasn’t got to start from scratch, and he doesn’t have to sell any players, but he’ll be looking to bring players into the squad, and Preston’s Alan Browne would be a really good signing."

Losing Alan Browne would be a huge blow for Preston North End

There's no way around it - losing Alan Browne would be a huge blow for Preston North End.

The 29-year-old has been at the club for over 10 years, and has made 414 appearances, so losing their influential skipper, particularly to a fellow Championship club, would be incredibly hard to take for the Lilywhites faithful.

Browne has not only been an excellent leader for Preston, but his consistency and his durability has proved invaluable, with the Irishman having played at least 32 games in every full season he's been at the club, becoming a mainstay in the team.

With all of this in mind, it's easy to see why Preston are happy to make him the club's highest paid player in their history, and now the ball is firmly in Browne's court when it comes to deciding whether he'd like to stay.

Keeping Alan Browne at Deepdale would be a huge boost to everyone at Preston, and at just 29, there is still plenty of time for Browne to add to his 414 appearances and secure his status as a club legend.