'Can we use the Ben Whiteman money?' - Preston North End backed for Sheffield United deal | OneFootball

FLW's Preston fan pundit wants to see North End bring Tom Cannon back to Deepdale

Despite nearly tripling their transfer record with the permanent capture of Alfie Devine, it's been quite a slow, uneventful summer window for Preston North End.

The £6 million arrival from Tottenham Hotspur is one of only four new faces through the doors at Deepdale thus far, with backup keeper Lee Nicholls and loanees Jusef Erabi and Delano Burgzorg joining him.

And while those two loan stars enjoyed debuts to remember at Goodison Park against Huddersfield Town in the EFL Cup on Saturday - Erabi netting the late equaliser and Burgzorg scoring the winning penalty in the shootout - there's no denying that Paul Heckingbottom needs more recruits to really attack this new Championship campaign.

Per Alan Nixon, the Lilywhites are exploring a deal to bring Tom Cannon back to Deepdale, three years following his successful loan spell at the club back when he was an Everton player.

Preston North End fan pundit encouraged by Tom Cannon links

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Cannon has endured a difficult time at Bramall Lane since making a £10 million move from Leicester City in January 2025. The 23-year-old has scored just seven times in 55 games for the Blades and was in and out of the squad last season.

There are fond memories of the Irishman in a Preston shirt, though, and Darren Watson, FLW's North End fan pundit, would love to see him back at Deepdale to help bolster their attacking options ahead of the new campaign.

"It does really excite me because the more attacking options we have, the better," he said.

"It's the same old story, though, isn't it? This time last season, we were linked with bringing Cannon back to Deepdale, but it didn't come through.

"Hopefully this happens, though; he'd add to our attacking options, which we definitely need ahead of our first game of the season at Bolton, which could prove to be a bit of a test. It's a local derby; both sets of fans will be up for it, and obviously you want a strong squad with good depth to bring on."

Bolton, like Preston, have had a bit of a frustrating transfer window in terms of the number of new arrivals they've been able to bring in, being a little less than they would have ideally wanted at this stage of the summer.

Both sides will want to showcase that a relegation battle won't be on the cards at the expense of each other, and there'd be no better way to mark a return to Preston than contributing to a derby win, if Cannon were to make a move this summer.

Preston North End fan pundit discusses financial roadblock to Tom Cannon transfer

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Cannon is contracted with Sheffield United until the summer of 2029, and the Blades have an option to extend that by a year, too. Given their own financial situation, they won't want to lose a striker who still has the potential to grow for a cut-price.

The fact they gave Cannon the number nine shirt this season, too, indicates that he has a key role to play this year, and Blades boss Chris Wilder sees him as such. Evidently, if a sale is to be made, it won't be for a cut-price.

With Preston not having a lengthy history of dropping big seven-figure fees on players before the Devine deal, a move for Cannon could prove difficult, especially if Sheffield United ask for around £10 million for him, as reports suggest they'll be looking to make their money back.

"We'll see how it plays out," Watson continued. "I don't think Sheffield United would be looking for a loan, they'd want to sell him.

"Can we use the Ben Whiteman money? Let's see what we can do."

Preston sold their captain to Wrexham last week for a reported £3 million fee. If they are to be serious about a Cannon pursuit, they may need to find more than just the money received for the 30-year-old.

Preston North End may be better off looking elsewhere for attacking upgrades

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Chris Wilder's 'not for sale' stance and Preston's finances all but rule out the possibility of Cannon making a return to Deepdale this summer, but despite how well-liked the 23-year-old is amongst Lilywhites fans, perhaps this is for the best.

The 23-year-old hasn't been that prolific in front of goal since that first spell at Preston three years ago.

He did net nine times in 22 games in the first half of the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Stoke City, which prompted the move to Bramall Lane, but four of those came in one game against Portsmouth. Five in the remaining 21 isn't that attractive.

Granted, given his prior stint at Deepdale, there's every possibility that all Cannon needs is the right environment to begin to excel. Perhaps back at Preston could provide that and, at 23, he has plenty of time to discover that potential.

But a move this summer would be too big a risk for Paul Heckingbottom's side, especially at the price that the Blades may be looking for to consider selling him.