Brentford in pole position to sign out-of-contract Preston North End midfielder
Brentford in pole position to sign out-of-contract Preston North End midfielder
Preston North End teenager Theo Mawene has drawn interest and Brentford lead the chase to sign him, according to Alan Nixon.
Preston North End are having a steady time of things in the Championship. PNE have been in some good form of late, bouncing back from defeat against Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup on Saturday.
The Lilywhites have a place in the fifth round secured after beating League One promotion candidates Wycombe Wanderers on penalties on Saturday afternoon.
While Paul Heckingbottom focuses on on-pitch matters, there will be work going in on contracts and transfers as the club look to the long-term. However, one man they could have a hard time keeping is Theo Mawene.
Interest in the 17-year-old midfielder has emerged before but now, writing on his Patreon, reporter Alan Nixon says Brentford are leading the chase to sign the Preston North End starlet.
Mawene is out of contract at the end of this season, so PNE would only be due a compensation fee. The expectation is that a deal will go to a tribunal, but the Bees are already putting together a package for the youngster as they continue tracking his development at Deepdale.
Heading for the Premier League?
Mawene is among the bright prospects in the Preston North End academy setup and he has already caught the eye for their youth sides. His displays in the FA Youth Cup have been strong too, perhaps prompting Premier League interest in his services.
At 17, he’s already made his PNE debut. He came off the bench to play Leicester City towards the end of the 2023/24 campaign, something that could contribute to a slightly higher compensation.
If more senior opportunities arise, that also may entitle the Lilywhites to more at a tribunal.
However, with Brentford putting together an offer and his deal running down, it feels as though Mawene will be heading for the Premier League come the summer.
On-pitch focus
While the relevant figures will be keeping an eye on Mawene’s situation, Heckingbottom will be eager to keep his Preston North End side focused on on-pitch matters.
That will be far easier to do now that the winter transfer window is out of the way.
PNE are next in action on Tuesday as they make the trip to Carrow Road to face Norwich City. They’ll be keen to get back to winning ways having lost only one of seven before the Blackburn defeat.
Heckingbottom and co will also learn their fifth round FA Cup opponents in the draw on Monday night.
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