Bristol City striker Nahki Wells remains one of Preston's top transfer targets as manager Ryan Lowe looks to add Championship experience to his squad this summer.
Bristol Live reported last week how City's Championship rivals had made an enquiry for the 32-year-old striker who is entering the final year of his contract with the Robins.
Lowe is looking to add two strikers to his squad as they hope to mount a promotion push and have also been heavily linked with a move for free agent Andre Gray, who is leaving Watford. However, they are set to miss out on the striker as he closes in on a move to Greek side Aris Thessaloniki.
Preston have yet to make an offer for Wells and aren't willing to part with any cash for the forward. Wells remains one of the highest-paid players at City and his salary alone would be deemed as a significant outlay.
The injury to Antoine Semenyo has also complicated matters with City left light of options in attack. The Ghanaian is out of pre-season and could miss the first month of Championship action as he recovers from a shin injury.
Pearson is happy to keep hold of Wells beyond the season and often praised his attitude to training and keeping himself fit during long periods out of the team last season. Although he did emphasise during his press conference on Friday how, "in an ideal world we don't want players to run their contracts down."
The manager also spoke of the desire to have an element of equality among the wage structure at the club but reiterated he would never begrudge a player for earning good money, referencing City's outlay during the 2019/20 season.
Preston aren't the only side interested in Wells with both Swansea City and QPR also keen. But likewise, the duo aren't willing to pay a fee with players of Wells' age in the Championship rarely moving for a cash sum.
Wells is thought to be relaxed about his future and remains happy to stay in BS3 for another year but ultimately wants to play first-team football. Preston would offer that, with Lowe stating his intentions in the transfer market yesterday dropping a huge hint that Wells is exactly the type of player on his shortlist.
Reported by Lancashire Live, he said: "We definitely want Championship experience - players who have been there, seen it and done it. If we can add that quality and those personalities to the group, then it will only benefit us.
"It's important that we do get, potentially, two left-siders, two strikers and maybe a right-sider - we're on the lookout and we've got to make sure they fit the bill."
The decision on Wells' future could drag on until the end of the transfer window on September 1 when the timeframe of Semenyo's injury will become a lot clearer. If City allow him to join Preston, they will save around £1million on his salary.
Pearson himself is in the market for at least three new players and if he can bring in another frontman, then that increases the chances of letting Wells leave. However, signing a Championship-level striker on a budget is far from easy.
Youngsters Sam Bell and Tommy Conway will also be pushing for first-team opportunities although it is suggested one could be sent out on loan to gain further first-team experience in a lower league.
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