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PNE boss looks East for new signings
Preston North End boss Alan Irvine is looking East for new recruits this summer.
Irvine admits the Eastern European market suits his price range with money likely to be tight once again at Deepdale.
He has revealed he is being bombarded with offers from agents from around the world as he looks to strengthen his squad for next season.
But he has had to say 'thanks, but no thanks' to a whole host of nationalities because they are out of North End's reach.
"I would have loved to have gone to watch games in the European Championships, but I would be wasting my time," he told the Evening Post.
"There is no point me being unrealistic. Players out there in Switzerland and Austria will not be in our price range because most will be playing for top European clubs.
"There is no point an agent coming to me and offering players from countries like Spain, Germany, Italy and France. We can't afford them.
"You could probably discount Africa and South America because of work permit problems with players outside the EU.
"But obviously there is a market in the Eastern European countries for clubs like us because the transfer fees are not huge and the wages for players playing within those countries at this moment are manageable.
"Once they have left those countries and are playing elsewhere, it is a different matter."
Irvine says Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic are potential markets this summer.
Hungary, in particular, has been a happy hunting ground for Championship clubs in recent seasons with players entering the English game's second tier hoping to use it as a stepping stone to the Premier League.
Watford striker Tamas Priskin, who played five games on loan with North End recently, is one of a host of Hungarians plying their trade in the Championship – Gabor Kiraly (Burnley), Zoltan Gera (WBA), Akos Buzsaky (QPR), Peter Halmosi (Plymouth), Bela Balogh (Colchester) and Tamas Vasko (Bristol City) are others.
"We have to be realistic when we are looking to strengthen our squad," said Irvine.
"I go to a lot of games and I am prepared to travel all over the place looking at players to see what is available.
"Had I been at Everton I would have been at the European Championships.
"But there isn't much point going there for Preston.
"I don't think there is anything at Euro 2008 for us because they are the top players in Europe and there will be an awful lot bigger clubs going to try and sign them.
"The money they and their clubs and agents will be demanding will be far too much.
"Agents have been contacting me – in fact there has been an absolute avalanche recently.
"Lots of players from abroad are being suggested.
"But Eastern European countries are different. If you can get players who are still playing in their countries then you have a chance.
"When you look around the Championship you can see quite a few players like Tamas over here. Lads from Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic.
"You can still get them, although you won't get the cream because most of those have already moved to big clubs in other parts of Europe."
>> Friendly dates for Irvine's men
>> Pitch battle for North End
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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