Many Preston North End fans believe the striker is off, with Crystal Palace said to have held talks over a deal on Tuesday.
Preston North End have left Jordan Hugill out of their team to face Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, amid reports linking the striker with a move to Crystal Palace.
Palace [The Sun], as well as Leeds United [The Daily Mirror], were credited with interest in Hugill earlier in the day, with the London side said to have agreed a fee of £8 million for the 25-year-old.
Preston released a statement around lunchtime, however, which described the report as “wholly inaccurate” adding: “we have not agreed any transfer fee with any club for Jordan Hugill.
“Jordan remains a contracted player to Preston North End Football Club.”
Hugill, though, is not even on the bench for Preston’s trip to the City Ground, prompting the club’s official Twitter account to post the following update: “We can confirm Jordan Hugill was available for selection this evening, but given recent speculation regarding his future the manager decided a team fully focused on the game was what would be needed for the match.”
As far as many Lilywhites fans are concerned, however, Hugill’s omission is further evidence that his sale is imminent, after the Lancashire Evening Post reported that talks have taken place with Crystal Palace.
Hugill, who was playing non league football until Port Vale signed him in 2013, has scored 30 goals in 114 games for Preston, although the bulk of those have arrived over the past two campaigns.
Palace are desperately short in attack, with Christian Benteke their only fit and available senior striker.
Would Hugill be a good signing for Crystal Palace?
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