Preston North End have missed out on a deadline day move to bring Alan Browne back to Deepdale. The Championship club's attempt to re-sign the 31-year-old midfielder from Sunderland has collapsed, as reported by The72 on Tuesday.
Manager Paul Heckingbottom was said to be eager to add leadership and pedigree to a squad that sits bottom of the Championship. Preston's league standing is dire: 24th with 0 points from 4 games, having lost all four matches and conceding 9 goals while scoring only 3. They are already 10 points behind early leaders Swansea City.
Why did the Alan Browne deal fall through?
A return for the former club captain, who spent over a decade at Preston before joining Sunderland, was seen as a potential boost. However, reporter Josh Gardner stated that a deal was "proving tricky" to finalise before the 11pm deadline. Browne has found himself down the pecking order at the Stadium of Light, but a transfer back to Lancashire could not be agreed. The failure to secure Browne leaves a clear gap in central midfield, especially with Ali McCann currently injured.
What are Preston's other transfer targets?
With the Browne move off, Preston are working on other deals to strengthen a threadbare squad. The club is reportedly close to securing a loan move for Celtic striker Johnny Kenny. An attacking addition is a priority, and Fulham's young forward Jonah Kusi-Asare has also been mentioned as a target. Heckingbottom has expressed clear frustration at the limited business done this summer, having wanted to revamp the squad to implement a new style for the 2026/27 campaign.
How does the squad look for the next game?
The urgent need for reinforcements is underscored by the team's terrible start. The lack of a proven central midfielder like Browne may force the club to compromise by signing a player deemed up to Championship standard, even if not the first choice. All focus now turns to halting the losing streak in the next fixture, a home match against Blackburn Rovers on September 5th. You can view the full schedule on our fixtures page.
What does this mean for the midfield?
The failure to sign Alan Browne leaves Preston's midfield options looking thin. Ali McCann's injury compounds the issue, putting immediate pressure on the remaining players. The club's activity in the final hours of the window will be critical to addressing this weakness. Supporters can track the official squad list on our squad page for any new additions. The next match against 12th-placed Blackburn represents a vital opportunity to get points on the board and change the narrative of this difficult season.
