Preston North End's chances of triggering Leeds United transfer clause for £30k-p/w player become clearer | OneFootball

Preston are now unlikely to sign Sam Greenwood on a permanent basis.

Preston North End are believed to be backing away from a deal to sign Leeds United loanee Sam Greenwood on a permanent deal at the end of the season.

The 23-year-old has featured regularly enough for the Lilywhites this term, but a permanent move is now considered to be unlikely, despite the fact it had previously been a genuine option for the Lancashire outfit.

The Lilywhites would also like to keep Aston Villa loan star Kaine Kesler-Hayden on a permanent basis, but it is said that they are "up against" such a potential transfer due to other interest in the wing-back.

Preston North End won’t chase a permanent deal for Leeds United midfielder Sam Greenwood

As per journalist Alan Nixon, the pre-agreed option to buy in last summer's loan agreement for Greenwood is set to be snubbed, meaning the 23-year-old is set to head back to Elland Road once more at the end of the season.

The attacker, who is being paid £30,000 a week on his current Leeds contract, as per estimates from Capology, has five league goals and three assists to his name, a respectable return considering his minutes have been split between operating as a striker and as an attacking midfielder.

Only Emil Riis and Milutin Osmajic have found the net more times than Greenwood for Paul Heckingbottom’s side this season in the Championship, but it now looks likely that they will lose him in the summer.

Leeds are on the verge of securing promotion to the Premier League and if they can get themselves over the line in the remaining weeks of the season, it will surely result in them spending heavily over the summer, likely pushing the likes of Greenwood out of the door.

With the attacker’s contract having just one year left to run when we reach the summer, it would be no surprise to see him depart Elland Road for good in the summer. However, it now looks unlikely that Deepdale will be his new destination.

Preston North End letting Sam Greenwood head back to Leeds United is the right call

Earlier on in the season, Greenwood showed considerable promise, with a free-kick goal against Harrogate Town in the EFL Cup showing what ball-striking ability he had.

He ranks fifth in the entire Championship for 'big chances created' this season, which also shows he can whip a decent ball into the box, but at times North End's forwards have been wasteful in taking those opportunities.

Despite starting more often than not under Paul Heckingbottom though, the second half of the season has seen Greenwood flatter to deceive more often than not, and he hasn't scored since December 29 against Sheffield Wednesday.

More will have been expected of the creative attacking midfielder, given how well he can shoot from distance and also create, so it's probably the right move for both parties to part ways, and this summer will likely see Greenwood seek another club to move to from Leeds United.