When Preston North End manager Ryan Lowe responded to claims of Rangers’ interest in Freddie Woodman by slapping a £20 million price-tag on the goalkeeper’s head, the phrase ‘wishful thinking’ came to mind.
When it comes to selling key players for top dollar, it’s fair to say the Lilywhites don’t have a particularly great track record.
In fact, over the last three years, the most Preston have made via player sales was the £1.6 million fee Liverpool paid to bring in Ben Davies. A hugely underwhelming sum, given the stature of Liverpool and the importance of Davies at Deepdale.
Woodman, at least, still has two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract. Still, it would be a surprise if Preston’s number one was sold on for closer to Lowe’s lofty valuation than the £3.5 million fee reported by the Scottish Sun.
Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Freddie Woodman shining at Preston
“They can give us £20m for him if they want,” Lowe tells Lancs Live. “I don’t know what he’s worth, but we know he’s a top, top ‘keeper. If he continues to get those clean sheets, then that’s what will happen; there will be talks of clubs and interest in him.”
Only Coventry City’s Ben Wilson has more than Woodman’s 14 clean sheets this term; goalless draws becoming something of a Preston party trick.
Newcastle United’s goalkeeping options are the subject of much discussion right now. Nick Pope’s suspension, and Martin Dubravka being cup tied, opened the door for the seldom-seen Lorus Karius to step into the breach during Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.
In the end, there was little Karius could do little to keep out Casemiro and Marcus Rashford; Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United running out 2-0 winners at Wembley. But there was to be no repeat of the German’s Kiev nightmare. In fact, if it wasn’t for Karius, 2-0 could have become three or four.
But it’s tempting to wonder whether, if Newcastle had opted not to sell Woodman to Preston in June, whether he would have got the nod at Wembley instead. So often tipped as a future Newcastle number one, 25-year-old Woodman finally cut ties with the Magpies after a series of never-ending series of loan spells.
‘He’s a good goalkeeper’
It’s testament to how impressive he has been since rocking up at Preston that Lowe feels obliged to talk about Woodman in conjunction with a £20 million price-tag.
“We knew when we were signing Fred that he was a good goalkeeper. He just needs to continue that good form,” adds the former Plymouth Argyle boss.
“Everyone has dips and Fred had a dip a few weeks ago and he wasn’t quite happy with the performances. But now he’s back to collecting clean sheets. If he can get another six, then that’s 20 clean sheets he’ll have had. Wow.
“We’ll help him get that.”
In addition to Rangers, The Sun believe Woodman is also on the radar of Leeds and Leicester City.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
