Nottingham Forest, Queens Park Rangers and Derby County have missed out on a midfielder with Premier League potential this month.
Well, at least according to Doncaster Rovers boss Darren Moore.
In the end, Preston North End had their PR postcode to thank as they beat a host of Championship rivals to the £1.5 million signing of Ben Whiteman.
QPR saw a bid rejected for the 24-year-old, while bitter rivals Forest and Derby identified this smoothest of operators as a play-maker capable of adding craft and guile to an often sluggish central midfield (Athletic).
For Whiteman, however, geography was to play a major role as he weighed up his options (Free Press).
Rochdale born and bred, the former Manchester United youngster had his heart set on a return to Lancashire and, short of ‘doing an MK Dons’ and dragging themselves across the country, there wasn’t much Forest, Derby and QPR could do to keep Whiteman out of Preston’s arms.
“I cannot speak highly of Ben as an impeccable human being and we thank him for the time and service he gave the football club,” said former West Brom boss Moore of his departed talisman (Yorkshire Post).
“We know we’ve sold the No 1 midfield player in the league because we’ve seen all the stats in terms of creativity, passing, goals.
“I’ve worked in the Premier League, at Championship level and with some top international players and Ben is every bit as good.
“I hope he fulfils his ambitions to play in the Premier League.”
It feels unlikely that Whiteman will be playing top-flight football with Preston any time soon.
Like QPR, Derby and Nottingham Forest, Alex Neil’s Lilywhites have endured a season to forget so far.
Then again, there are only five points separating Preston from the top six and, in this most congested and unpredictable of leagues, anything can happen.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
