Former Preston North End manager Alex Neil used Anthony Gordon’s brief loan spell at Deepdale as an example of why it could be easier to complete a permanent deal for Leeds United’s Sam Greenwood.
Neil spent nearly four years in charge of PNE between 2017 and 2021, working with Gordon for a brief period when he joined on loan from Everton before being sacked.
Given Gordon’s potential, it was never realistic that he would ever go onto complete a permanent switch to PNE, with that really start the start of a senior career that has seen him play for Everton, Newcastle United and England.
Greenwood, meanwhile, is in a different boat, having joined PNE temporarily from a club in the same division – Leeds.
Considering Greenwood also spent last season out on loan from Elland Road, it is clear Daniel Farke does not see him as part of his future plans.
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Alex Neil backs permanent Sam Greenwood move to PNE, but there’s a problem
Greenwood has been in impressive form for PNE as of late and he helped them pick up their first win in 10 matches at Cardiff City last night.
No Championship player has created more big chances than Greenwood this season, and he has also managed to score four goals and provide two assists.
Paul Heckingbottom was asked about PNE‘s chances of signing Greenwood lately and though he did admit the Leeds youngster is someone he likes working with, he did allude to some potential financial issues.
Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire earlier this week, Neil also echoed those thoughts about Greenwood’s salary being a stumbling block, but thinks his signing is considerably more realistic than when he signed Gordon on loan from Everton.
He said: “I don’t know what the situation is with Preston in terms of [Kaine] Kesler-Hayden or Greenwood, but I would presume they should be two players who Preston could go and get. They have been about the block.
“Greenwood was at Middlesbrough and Kesler-Hayden was at Huddersfield and Plymouth. We are not talking about guys who are expected to go back to their respective clubs and break in, the way a Ben Doak is or an Anthony Gordon was – or someone like that. I would think that these two guys are much more realistic options, for Preston to keep them.
“The issue with Greenwood might be the salary in general. I don’t know where that sits. But, if you are at a club like Leeds, you would imagine that most Leeds players would be on a chunky salary.”
Is Greenwood eligible to face Leeds on Saturday?
With Greenwood having been one of PNE’s stand-out performers this season, Leeds will be relieved he won’t be playing this weekend.
As Greenwood is only on loan at Deepdale at this stage, he will not be eligible to face his parent club.
It will be interesting to see how Heckingbottom looks to replace Greenwood in the side, considering he has started each of PNE’s last 10 league matches.
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