Simon Grayson wanted to bring Sheffield Wednesday winger Adam Reach back to Preston.
Preston North End manager Simon Grayson
Preston North End manager Simon Grayson has told the Lancashire Evening Post that he would’ve liked to sign Adam Reach for £1m – but felt the £5m fee Sheffield Wednesday paid was ‘ridiculous’.
North End signed two ex-Wednesday players on deadline day as Marnick Vermijl and Aiden McGeady, but saw their former loanee Reach head to Hillsborough as the transfer window drew to a close.
Ipswich Town’s Luke Chambers in action with Adam Reach
Reach, 23, came up through the ranks with Middlesbrough, and after loan spells with Darlington, Shrewsbury Town and Bradford City, the winger enjoyed his best season to date with Preston last term.
Reach hit four goals and three assists in an impressive campaign for Preston, showing off pace and power down the left flank, which led to team-mate Paul Gallagher comparing him to Gareth Bale (Lancashire Evening Post).
Adam Reach in action with Derik Osede of Bolton Wanderers
Capable of playing at left wing back, on the left flank or even in a free role behind a striker, Reach is a versatile option for Carlos Carvalhal, and the Portuguese boss clearly believes in the former England youth international having paid a club-record £5m to sign him on deadline day, as claimed by Sky Sports.
Many Preston fans wanted to see Reach return to Deepdale having impressed so much last season, and manager Simon Grayson appears to have wanted a reunion too.
Speaking to the Lancashire Evening Post, Grayson admitted that, had the deal been around the £1m mark, Preston would have been interested in signing the wide man.
Preston North End manager Simon Grayson
However, Grayson suggested that the £5m fee was ‘ridiculous’, and Preston simply can’t afford to compete with those kind of transfer fees, no matter how highly they rate Reach.
“Some of the deals have been ridiculous,” said Grayson. “I would have loved to have signed Adam Reach. But when he’s going for five million it shows it’s not a level playing field when it comes to finances. It’s ridiculous. We don’t want an imbalance with earnings either. The players need to be in touching distance of one another.”
“If it had been a million we could have had a go (at getting Reach) but it would have still been a very rich deal for us. It shows the different levels clubs are working at. It’s been difficult. Players are always trying to get the best deals,” he added.
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