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Sources: Sunderland, Preston and Wigan set sights on signing Kelly
Preston North End, Sunderland and Wigan Athletic are chasing Irish striker Georgie Kelly in next month’s transfer window, Football Insider understands.
The Bohemians forward, 25, is a free agent after finishing as the Republic of Ireland’s Premier Division’s top scorer with 26 goals in all competitions.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Preston, Sunderland and Wigan face competition for Kelly from Scottish Premiership clubs as well as other EFL teams.
He was named PFA Ireland Player of the Year after a brilliant campaign for the Dublin-based side.
The striker told the LOI Central podcast today (16 December) he now wants to try his luck overseas.
He only moved to Bohemians last December (2020) but enjoyed the season of his life this year.
Before the 2020 campaign, the Donegal-born ace had scored 11 times in 51 Irish top-flight appearances.
Preston have a strong recent history of signing players from the League of Ireland with current captain Alan Browne a product of the Cork City academy.
Striker Sean Maguire was signed from the same side in 2017 after winning the division’s young player of the year award.
They have also signed players like Andy Boyle, Kevin O’Connor, Daryl Horgan and Graham Burke from the division with less success.
While Preston are hovering around mid-table in the Championship, Sunderland and Wigan are both looking to earn promotion from League One.
They are level on points but Wigan sit one place above Sunderland in second on goal difference and with a game in hand.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has tipped Sunderland to ‘back’ Gary Neville & Co as a £59million incentive is explained.