Preston North End may have dodged Sheffield United transfer bullet through Chris Wilder stance | OneFootball

PNE may not be able to bring Tom Cannon back to Deepdale - but could that be a good thing?

Tom Cannon doesn't seem to be heading back to Preston North End this summer, despite the Lilywhites once again being linked with a reunion with their former loanee.

It's been three years since the Irish frontman's spell at Deepdale ended, and he returned to Everton; a spell which saw him net eight times in 20 appearances and earn a move to recently relegated Leicester City in time for the 2023/24 campaign.

Now, Cannon finds himself at Sheffield United, who spent a fee of up to £10 million on his services back in January 2025 off the back of a short spell at Stoke City.

It hasn't worked out the way he would have liked in South Yorkshire, though, and Alan Nixon reported that Preston were keeping tabs on him in the hope of a return to Deepdale, especially given Sheffield United's need to raise funds to improve their squad elsewhere.

Sheffield United snub Preston North End in Tom Cannon pursuit

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It was always going to be a tall order to get Cannon to return to Preston. The Blades invested a lot of money into the Irishman, and they wouldn't have parted ways easily, even if they were open to a sale.

Alan Nixon stated that Sheffield United would be looking to recoup the money that they spent on the 23-year-old, which would be around £7 million to the full £10 million.

With Preston not spending more than £2 million on a player until they signed Alfie Devine permanently this summer for £6 million, it would seem unlikely that the Lilywhites would be able to spend such a fee, especially in the same window as that record-breaking deal.

Nevertheless, those reports were immediately shut down by Sheffield United the following day, with it expected that the Blades' new number nine was going to be a big part of Chris Wilder's plans heading into the new campaign.

Preston North End may have dodged a transfer bullet after Sheffield United's Tom Cannon decision

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Taking the nostalgia glasses off, Preston's interest in Cannon may have been an underwhelming transfer target this summer, as, since that loan spell at Deepdale, the 23-year-old has struggled in front of goal.

A stress fracture in his back that was found during his Leicester medical meant he wasn't fit for selection for the Foxes until mid-November.

By then, Enzo Maresca's side were on a roll, having won nine league games on the spin before a loss against fellow promotion-hunters Leeds United. It was difficult for Cannon to break into the fold, and he would only start three times for the champions that year.

Still, that Preston spell was ringing true in the back of minds, and when Stoke brought him in on loan two summers ago, it was seen as a promising signing. He scored 11 times in 25 appearances in all competitions, which, on paper, is a good record.

In reality, though, that goal tally, especially the nine in 22 he managed in league action, was skewed by a four-goal haul in a 6-1 win against Portsmouth. Five goals in 21 games doesn't read as attractive, and that's the level of goalscoring he's maintained at Sheffield United.

Indeed, at Bramall Lane, Cannon has scored just seven times in 55 outings in all competitions. With the quality of players that he's had around him, especially in his first half-season when the Blades accumulated 92 points but lost in the play-off final, it's quite concerning that he's barely been able to find the back of the net.

Tom Cannon shouldn't be written off just yet — but a return to Preston North End would have been too big a risk

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That being said, Cannon is still 23 and still has plenty of potential to grow into a top Championship striker.

Six goals last season at Sheffield United set a foundation to build upon, and being handed the number nine shirt shows that Chris Wilder believes he can play a key role for his side in the ongoing campaign.

But ultimately, that's the potential that the Blades are banking on. Right now, if Preston were to spend around £7 million on a striker, if that were even possible this summer, they'd need them to be someone who has the pedigree and would be a sure thing to net 10–15 goals this year.

Granted, there's always the possibility that Deepdale is the right environment for Cannon to become a top striker at this level, but it would come with too much of a financial risk, especially if he didn't take that next step.

Cannon could be in for a breakout year — Sheffield United fans hope so more than anyone else — and Preston need a striker addition in the coming weeks. But they'll be wanting someone who they know can make an immediate impact, rather than someone with the potential to.