Town’s chances of landing loan target Josh Harrop appear to have increased with Preston having completed the permanent signing of Ben Whiteman from Doncaster this morning.

The Lilywhites, currently 12th in the Championship, were understood to want to add to their midfield options prior to allowing Harrop to depart.

However, that wasn't the only factor standing in the way of a deal with LancsLive reporting that the contribution to Harrop’s wages Town have so far offered lower than Preston are after due to the constraints of the League One salary cap.

Harrop is understood to be keen on the move with his opportunities having been limited at Deepdale this season.

The 25-year-old has made only four starts, one in the Championship, and four appearances from the bench, scoring once.

Speaking after Harrop had come on as a 33rd-minute sub in December's 2-2 home draw with Wycombe, manager Alex Neil said: "Josh wants to play in the number ten, wants to influence things - they only played with one sitter so the spaces were there.

"We were disappointed we didn't get him in the game more but there's an onus on Josh - he's got to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

"That's what your task is, I just think we get so hung up on tactics and how you effect things; see at the end of the day, you go and watch the best teams and the best players make the difference.”

Harrop, who we understand was the player Stuart Taylor said Town had hoped to sign before last Saturday's defeat against Swindon, joined Preston in June 2017 having come through the youth system at Manchester United, where he made one Premier League start for the Red Devils in a 2-0 home win over Crystal Palace on the final day of 2016/17 and scored the opening goal.

In total, the Stockport-born schemer, who is 5ft 9in tall, has made 39 starts and 55 sub appearances for Preston, scoring 13 times.

Capped three times by England’s U20s, Harrop signed a new contract at Deepdale in August which runs to 2023.

Harrop is high on Town’s list of potential signings along with Luke Thomas, who is looking to move to play more games having had limited opportunities at Barnsley.

As previously reported, the Blues were also very keen on 18-year-old Manchester City winger Morgan Rogers, who opted to join Lincoln City on loan last week.

At 25, Harrop counts as a senior player in terms of the salary cap with the club having a limit of 22 players aged over 21.

Photo: Action Images

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 10:10 - Jan 14 If he is keen to come and play, that at least is a good sign. Might be a good influence.
2

norfolkbluey added 10:21 - Jan 14 Now I wonder why Morgan Rodgers joined Lincoln rather than us!!!
-1

BettyBlue added 10:25 - Jan 14 i hope we sack lambert before we sign any more players
0

norfolkbluey added 10:26 - Jan 14 Harrop sounds like he could be very useful for us. I just hope we get him and he can inject some drive and energy in the team. Salary might be a stumbling block unless a deal can be done.
0

unknown100 added 10:27 - Jan 14 @norfolkbluey- Geographically I'd imagine
-1

chorltonskylineblue added 10:31 - Jan 14 Don't want to read too much into Neil's comments, but Harrop prefers No.10 role? Like Judge, which hasn't worked for us. If Lambert is sticking with one up top with strikers in the wide roles then I'd prefer Thomas. It was clear on Saturday that Jackson was wasted on the right wing. Or as BettyBlue says, give another manager a chance to build a system.
0

Razor added 10:31 - Jan 14 Dont worry old son your place on the bench awaits!!
0

unknown100 added 10:32 - Jan 14 If the cavalry of midfielders are coming back I think I'd rather invest the effort in bringing in some full backs because chambers is awful, it's going to be a while for KVY and then he could quite easily get some set backs and I like wars but again will he make the full season? He looks fatigued already
0

Bert added 10:38 - Jan 14 An attacking midfielder may be a good loan option but that adds to an already crowded midfield. Time to sort out the wheat from the chaff and move some players on who contribute very little ...... and I'm not talking about Skuse who at least blocks and breaks up play while others wander around the field combing their hair !
1

Nobbysnuts added 10:42 - Jan 14 Can he pass the ball backwards and fall over a lot? That is the question???
-1

tetchris added 10:42 - Jan 14 Just need to get rid of one of the donkeys in the squad to accommodate him
0

WhoisJimmyJuan added 11:13 - Jan 14 If he's an attacking midfielder Lambert will probably play him out on the wing anyway, breaking the lad's confidence.
0

aas1010 added 11:23 - Jan 14 Cool another player to use as a spokesperson after matches and give us more tripe on how well we played 😩😩
-2

Portman_Pie added 11:54 - Jan 14 I genuinely don't see the point in this to be honest. Another Midfielder - and a loanee. Can we not just invest in El Mizouni's development and play him. It's not as if Harrop has the experience of 200 games, and can bring in a proven pedigree to assist in some sort of Fraser / Lawrence loan. I was convinced pre season the El Miz could be a stand out player this season - and Lambert has of course dismissed him.. Lamberts record of transfers on the whole is dismal - so I have no enthusiasm towards this what so ever. I know we're in quiet times - but 2 pages dedicated to the possibility of a loanee from Preston reserves - just like Earl is hardly headline grabbing...!

1

blues1 added 11:57 - Jan 14 Norfolkbluey. He didnt choose lincoln over us. He was only linked with us. We never talked to him. Plus as some1 else said, it's likely hed have chosen lincoln anyway bcse they closer to home.
-2

Linkboy13 added 12:26 - Jan 14 Don't need anymore fancy dans . Need midfielders who can kick a bit (farely that is) and get about the pitch.
-1

Blue_badge added 12:35 - Jan 14 Alex Neil said: "Josh wants to play in the number ten" - so that's a wide right position nailed on then. Even if he's a decent player the fundamentals will still be wrong - under this owner the best we can hope for is a competent manager, so that's the change we need ASAP.
-1

runningout added 14:13 - Jan 14 Surely if he's not good enough for Preston says there is something wrong. Paul Lambert won't improve Josh Harrop. Plus Lee O'Neil isn't a “Come and lay for us” personality. Forget our once half decent club going places in upwards direction the way things are. Wish I could be slightly optimistic but not
-2

ArnieM added 16:10 - Jan 14 So is he any better than the one up front strikers we currently use. I wonder?
0

aas1010 added 18:01 - Jan 14 Two faced people
0

gosblue added 18:23 - Jan 14 Put Chambers and Skuse on the coaching staff to free up their playing wages.
0

Northstandveteran added 22:00 - Jan 14 Put Chambers and Skuse on a coach, set them free, stop paying their wages.
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls