‘Coventry and Sheffield United set to battle it out for bargain Emil Riis signature’
Coventry City and Sheffield United are among the clubs who want to sign Preston North End striker Emil Riis on a free transfer.
The 26-year-old help the Lancashire club avoid relegation from the Championship by scoring 12 goals in 45 second-tier appearances.
He scored two goals in his last two league appearances as Preston drew 2-2 with Bristol City on 3 May following a 2-1 defeat at Plymouth Argyle on 26 April.
Riis is available on a free transfer this summer, as his contract at Deepdale is set to expire after five seasons in the North West.
Riis favours a move to a promotion challenger amid interest from Coventry and Sheffield United
The Preston forward’s best Championship season arrived during the 2021/22 season, when he scored 16 goals in 44 second-tier outings.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports News journalist Anthony Joseph revealed via X [4 June]: “Sheffield United & Coventry City are among a number of Championship clubs keen on Preston North End striker Emil Riis Jakobsen.
“The 26-year-old is out of contract soon & it’s understood he’d prefer to join a club with ambitions to gain promotion to the Premier League.”
Both Coventry and Sheffield United boast top-flight ambitions, after the second tier duo both finished in the playoff this term.
Football Insider verdict
Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United situation could hand Coventry a boost in Riis transfer race
After scoring 12 Championship goals for a Preston outfit who avoided relegation to League One by just one point this term, Riis has proven that he could be a more regular goal scorer for a side who boast promotion ambitions.
| Emil Riis stats | 2024/25 Championship |
| Appearances | 45 |
| Goals | 12 |
| Assists | 2 |
The fact that the former Derby County man is available on a free transfer this summer makes his signature all the more appealing for both Sheffield United and Coventry.
However, the Sky Blues could hold an advantage over the Blades in the race to sign Riis, because Sheffield United could decide to sack Chris Wilder, as exclusively revealed by Football Insider.
The South Yorkshire club witnessed their automatic promotion chances slip away by losing four games in April before being beaten by Sunderland in the Championship playoff final.
Sheffield United’s defeat to the Mackems at Wembley has led to questions surrounding the 57-year-old’s management, whereas Frank Lampard’s position in the Coventry dugout appears very secure.