Wolves had a bid rejected for Jordan Hugill in the summer but signs suggest Preston will sell in January – and may have identified a replacement already.
Louis Moult is finally getting the attention his performances north of the border have deserved. The in-form centre-forward scored 15 goals in each of the last two Scottish Premiership campaigns for Motherwell and his purple patch is showing no signs of stopping.
Moult has five goals in nine league appearances for The Well so far in 2017/18. With the 25-year-old’s contract expiring in the summer, then, it is little surprise that he appears to have emerged as a genuine target for a number of Championship sides.
The Scottish Sun reported in September that Millwall and Brentford were keen while the Motherwell Times have now claimed that there is also interest from Birmingham City and Preston North End.
The latter duo both watched Moult in action against Aberdeen at the weekend and, with the former Stoke City youngster refusing to sign a contract extension, are hopeful that a bid of £650,000 in January will convince Motherwell to cash in.
Readymade replacement?
And it is certainly intriguing to note that Preston’s reported interest has emerged just a matter of days after The Sun (October 15th, page 61) claimed that The Lilywhites could sell Jordan Hugill, who handed in a transfer request in the summer, if a club meets their £12 million valuation.
Such a price-tag could make Championship league leaders, and big-spenders, Wolves the favourites to land Hugill in the New Year. Sky Sports report that Wolves had an £8 million offer rejected in August and league rivals Leeds United and Sunderland, who were both credited with an interest a few months ago, appear unlikely to have £12 million lying around to spend on one player.
Wolves, however, are bankrolled by opulent Chinese conglomerate Fosun International. And with Leo Bonatini the club’s only senior centre-forward, a new striker would be welcomed with open arms at Molinuex.
And latest reports suggest that Hugill may well be available – particularly if Preston land Moult.
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