Preston reaction given to Blackburn Rovers transfer miss - they might have dodged a bullet | OneFootball

FLW's Preston fan pundit shares their thoughts on Blackburn's bid for Sam Greenwood this summer

Preston North End will be preparing for yet another year in the Championship this summer, as head coach Paul Heckingbottom aims to guide the Lilywhites to that elusive top six finish.

Preston have been a staple of the second tier for the majority of the last 26 years, having only spent two seasons out of the division since the year 2000.

During that period, they have fluctuated from play-off hopefuls to relegation candidates, but more often than not, meeting in the middle to comfortably avoid relegation, with no real chance of promotion.

Not since the 2008/09 campaign have the Lancashire outfit finished in the Championship top six, coming closest in 2018 under Alex Neil to finish in 7th, but aside from that, they have rarely threatened to disrupt the establishment.

A lack of financial muscle has limited them, in truth, and ahead of the summer transfer window, supporters will be hoping to see more investment into the playing squad, as those at the club may be surprised to see one of their league and local rivals make a seven-figure bid for one of their former players.

Blackburn Rovers may have dodged a bullet with Sam Greenwood

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Preston's Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers are looking to waste no time following the opening of the summer transfer window under new manager Tony Mowbray.

The side from Ewood Park have reportedly seen a bid worth £1 million rejected by Polish top-flight side Pogon Szczecin for English forward Sam Greenwood.

Greenwood, 24, came through the ranks at both Sunderland and Arsenal before joining Leeds United in 2020, where he would make 35 appearances for the Yorkshire outfit across five years contracted to the club.

He'd join Middlesbrough on loan for the 2023/24 season, and then Preston for the 2024/25 campaign, where he made 45 appearances across all competitions, scoring seven and assisting three, before making the move to Poland in the summer with Pogon Szczecin.

Blackburn were keen on offering Greenwood a route back to the EFL this summer, but have seen their first offer rebuffed, as now, Bristol City have swooped in to agree a deal for the 24-year-old worth up to £3.75 million.

Football League World's Preston fan pundit, Darren Watson, has shared their thoughts on Blackburn making a move for Greenwood, and whether they would have had any warnings to Rovers fans over his potential arrival, as the Lancashire outfit may well have dodged a bullet amid Bristol City's move.

Darren said: "So, Sam Greenwood was one of those players who came to Preston North End and really hit the mark as soon as he came to the club. He looked fast, he looked sharp, he looked energetic; the kind of player that you think, 'wow, you know, he could be something.'

"And then a couple of weeks down the line, a couple of months down the line as well, he just disappeared. I think he had a bit of a bit of an injury. But then, when he came back, he was a shadow of his former self and didn't really perform to the heights like he did in his first couple of games for Preston North End.

"But again, I mean, from a £1 million bid already rejected by the Polish side, you know, £1 million for him, I don't think he's a £1 million player, just from what I've seen, obviously with him at North End, and obviously been passed around from loan club to loan club; he was out with Leeds as well.

"But again, for me personally, he did hit the ground running, looked like a good player, but then went missing. And he's one of those types of players that you get, you're really disappointed with, that you think, yeah, 'he's going to be in the starting 11,' and then just puts in poor performances day in, day out and just goes missing all the time.

"So, you know, fair play to him. Obviously, Blackburn, you know, if you want to have him, go for him, you buy him for £1 million, and then, you know, be safe to say, I told you so when the performances start piling in from Sam Greenwood, like we've seen at Preston North End."

Tony Mowbray must weigh up the pros and cons before signing former Preston forward Sam Greenwood at Blackburn this summer

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At 24, Greenwood is at an age where he should be coming into his own, and with over 75 Championship appearances under his belt and experience playing in another country, he could become an excellent option for any second-tier side.

His time with Preston consisted of a red card picked up against Blackburn, incidentally, and with more yellow cards in the Championship than goals, he does present somewhat of a risk.

£1 million is not an insignificant fee for a team like Blackburn, and before they decide on a deal, Mowbray must weigh up all the pros and cons to ensure his capture is what is best for the club, especially after the warning sent by Preston.