Exclusive: Preston North End in advanced talks to sign Brighton player
Preston North End are in advanced talks over a loan move for Brighton midfielder Andrew Moran, sources have told Football Insider.
The 22-year-old spent the first half of the season in the MLS with LAFC, but is now closing on a potential move to Deepdale ahead of Monday’s 7pm deadline.
Football Insider revealed back in August that Moran was being tracked by MLS and German clubs in the summer, with the possibility of both a loan or permanent exit on the cards.
The Irishman has gained plenty of experience in the Championship in recent years, and Paul Heckingbottom’s Preston are now keen to hand him another opportunity to impress.
Andrew Moran’s promising Championship record
Moran’s move to LAFC didn’t pan out as Brighton would have hoped in the first half of the season, as he played just 10 games during his time on the other side of the Atlantic.
However, his previous stints in the Championship will provide far more reason for encouragement from Preston’s perspective.
The youngster spent the campaign on loan at Stoke City last season, where he impressed as part of a struggling Potters team.
The Irishman notched four goals and three assists for the Midlands outfit, which was just one goal contribution shy of his tally for Blackburn Rovers in the previous season.
Moran is predominantly an attacking midfielder, but can also operate in the right-wing role, or as a deeper-lying player in the middle of the park.
He is a product of Bray Wanderers’ youth academy, and has been part of the Brighton setup since 2020.
Andrew Moran to cover for Harrison Armstrong loss at Preston
Preston saw Harrison Armstrong recalled from his loan spell by Everton earlier in the window, and his parent club have now decided that he will not be sent back out in the second half of the season.
The Toffees starlet has been a crucial part of the success of Heckingbottom’s side so far this term, and they were keen to take him back on loan to help boost their promotion push.
However, with Everton now making it clear that the possibility is firmly off the table, the Lancashire outfit have turned their attention elsewhere and fixed their sights on Moran.
The Brighton youngster could now be about to step into Armstrong’s shoes imminently, provided that a deal can be finalised before the 7pm deadline on Monday.