By Wayne Veysey

13th Jun, 2022 | 10:42am

Sources: Preston North End in advanced talks to sign Watford striker Andre Gray

Preston North End are in advanced talks to sign Watford striker Andre Gray, Football Insider understands.

The 30-year-old is available on a free transfer this summer after being released by the Hornets ahead of his contract expiring at the end of June.

A Preston source has told Football Insider that negotiations with Gray are progressing well and they are close to reaching an agreement.

Manager Ryan Lowe is desperate to bolster his side’s attacking options ahead of next season and he sees Gray as a key addition to his plans.

The forward spent last season on loan at Queens Park Rangers and scored 10 goals in 28 appearances during his stint at the club.

Preston relied heavily on Cameron Archer towards the end of the 2021-22 season after he signed on loan from Aston Villa in January but he has now returned to his parent club.

Gray will compliment North End’s current strikers Emil Riis, Ched Evans and Sean Maguire while youngster Mikey O’Neill also broke through towards the end of the 2021-22 campaign.

Gray, who has played for the Jamaica national team alongside Preston midfielder Daniel Johnson, spent five years at Watford.

He scored 21 times and provided eight assists in 125 games across all competitions for the club.

At Championship level he has found the net on 56 occasions and provided 20 assists in 146 appearances during his time at Watford, QPR, Burnley and Brentford.

In other news, an expert has issued his verdict on Tottenham signing three Watford players because ‘people have been asking’.