Preston North End and Hull City have been keen on Cork City’s Sean McLoughlin.
According to a report by RTE, Hull City are set to sign Sean McLoughlin by the end of the week despite long-term interest from Championship rivals Preston North End.
It is said in the report how Preston have monitored his progress for the past year, but they were put off by his £225,000 asking price last January before re-igniting their interest in the defender this summer.
McLoughlin’s contract at Cork City expires at the end of the current Irish Premier Division campaign, December 31, meaning he is now likely to move for far less than the Irish club’s previous valuation.
Hull have struggled to bolster their squad this summer due to financial difficulties, but manager Grant McCann is said to be a big fan of McLoughlin so beating Preston to his signature is a great coup for the club.
McLoughlin will push for a regular first-team spot at centre-back at the KCOM Stadium this season as the opening Championship fixture is just around the corner.
The 22-year-old will become the club’s fourth senior permanent addition this summer, after Matt Ingram arrived from Queens Park Rangers while Tom Eaves and Ryan Tafazolli are League One freebies.
The Tigers have also added Josh Bowler on loan from Everton, but the club’s lack of transfer expenditure in terms of fees goes to show what they are potentially up against this season.
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