Exclusive: Ipswich Town plot raid to sign Preston North End midfielder

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Published on:

12 Jan 2021, 1:40 pm

Ipswich Town have set their sights on signing Preston North End midfielder Josh Harrop, Football Insider can reveal.

The 25-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at Deepdale and has been limited to just one start in the Championship this term.

A recruitment source has told Football Insider the League One club are working on a January loan deal until the end of the season.

Tellingly Harrop was left out of Alex Neil's matchday squad for their FA Cup third-round tie against Wycombe Wanderers at the weekend.

Neil made seven changes to his side at Adams Park and there was not even a place for the attacking midfielder on the bench.

With an ability to operate either on the wing or in the number 10 role, Harrop would offer much-needed creativity to Paul Lambert's side.

The Tractor Boys have won just three of their last 11 games and their downturn in form has coincided with the absence of Gwion Edwards.

The left-winger remains the club's top goalscorer with five despite not featuring since November.

Harrop has a keen eye for goal and found the net on his only appearance for Manchester United on the final day of the 2016/17 season.

The Stockport-born ace was offered a new deal with the Premier League giants but instead opted to sign a four-year contract with North End.

He signed a contract extension with Preston earlier this season that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2023.

In other news, Football Insider can reveal Ipswich Town manager Paul Lambert faces a dressing room mutiny as the club's players turn on him.

Preston North End

Ipswich Town