This factor could put Preston North End in the driving seat to sign Cardiff City’s Callum Robinson | OneFootball

Preston North End may play on Callum Robinson's Deepdale past to secure his services this summer

Preston North End have started the summer transfer window in fine form, securing deals for Jordan Thompson, Daniel Iversen, Pol Valentin and Thierry Small.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side are keen to add to their strikeforce next after losing Emil Riss’ services. Will Keane’s PNE future is also still up in the air and with Ched Evans’ playing days at the club over, the Lilywhites are desperately thin up front.

The Irish Examiner has revealed that North End are interested in bringing Cardiff striker Callum Robinson back to Deepdale, following the Bluebirds’ relegation to League One.

The Lancashire side aren’t likely to be alone in their desire to acquire the 30-year-old this summer, but they may already have an existing advantage in the race for his signature.

Callum Robinson’s Preston North End past could pay dividends

Although North End wouldn’t enjoy much resale value if they decided to sign Robinson, they would be receiving a striker guaranteed to score goals in the Championship.

Last season, he scored 12 goals in 24 league starts for the Bluebirds, a return made even more impressive when you consider Cardiff’s uncompetitive nature.

As a result, it is likely that multiple second-tier outfits will be circling for his signature. However, if Robinson moved to North End, he would be stepping back into a side he has previously excelled for.

The forward hit double figures for goals in two of his three full Championship seasons at Deepdale, netting 12 times and providing three assists in 27 appearances during his final year in Preston.

Deepdale adored the Irish international and will still remember his presence in Simon Grayson and Alex Neil’s North End sides fondly.

Robinson was also part of the last PNE squad to seriously threaten the play-off places, recording 14 goal contributions in the 2017/18 Championship campaign where the Lilywhites came within two points of the top six.

These good times previously could tempt the striker to make a return to Deepdale, this time under Heckingbottom.

Although last season ended in precarious circumstances for North End, there is optimism amongst supporters that their manager can lead them back towards the top of the second-tier once more.

The temptation of donning that famous Lilywhite shirt and scoring goals in front of a roaring Alan Kelly Town End could prove to be decisive in where Robinson ends up this summer.

Callum Robinson would be a solid Emil Riis replacement for PNE

As previously mentioned, Preston North End will need to reinforce their attack this summer.

Riis’ departure leaves a huge space in the Lilywhites’ frontline and despite his somewhat tumultuous relationship with the club’s fanbase, his goal record can’t be argued with.

Prior to this term, the striker had seen his influence on the side limited due to suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in January 2023.

However, the Dane’s last two full campaigns of Championship football saw him return a combined 32 goals. These numbers will be incredibly hard to replace, especially for a low cost given the nature of his exit.

Therefore, a move for Robinson makes a great deal of sense.

He would replace Riis as the experienced Championship goalscorer in North End’s attack, and wouldn’t break the bank in doing so.

His goal return last term shows that he is still capable of producing a competitive output at this level and could perform even better in a superior team.

Admittedly, he would lack resale value, a factor the Lilywhites are keen on when recruiting players. But, this opportunity could be too good to pass up on for Heckingbottom and Co. this summer.