HITC Sport understands Preston eye League Two striker.
Morecambe’s Tom Barkhuizen (L) in action with Coventry City’s Jamie Sterry
Preston North End are lining up a move for Morecambe forward Tom Barkhuizen, HITC Sport understands from sources close to the club.
Preston boss Simon Grayson is eyeing reinforcements when the transfer window reopens in January and he has made Barkhuizen one of his top targets.
Barkhuizen came through the ranks at Blackpool, but struggled to hold down a regular place at Bloomfield Road.
Morecambe’s Tom Barkhuizen in action with Accrington Stanley’s Dean Winnard
Barkhuizen has caught the eye at Morecambe since joining the club on a free transfer in the summer of 2015 from Blackpool after initially impressing on loan at the Globe Arena.
The 23-year-old scored 12 goals in all competitions for Morecambe last season and he has scored five so far this term for the Shrimps.
Morecambe’s Andy Parrish and Tom Barkhuizen and Bury’s Danny Mayor
A number of clubs higher up the football pyramid have been tracking Barkhuizen for some time, but Preston are aiming to steal a march on their rivals by setting up a deal to bring him to Deepdale.
Barkhuizen is out of contract at Morecambe at the end of the season and although the club are reluctant to lose their prize asset they will find it hard to keep hold of him.
Preston manager Simon Grayson
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