Ben Pearson nearing exit from Preston North End as Bournemouth prepare to swoop

It's being reported on the south coast that the Cherries have agreed a fee with North End and the player is due to travel to Bournemouth to finalise the deal in the next 24 hours.

It comes as no surprise that Pearson's five-year stay at Deepdale is nearing an end.

With his contract up in the summer and having told PNE he see his future elsewhere, North End have brought in Ben Whiteman and Jayson Molumby during the transfer window to bolster the midfield numbers.

After recovering from an ankle injury which kept him out since early December, Pearson hasn't been in the squad for the last three matches.

This is the last chance for them to get a fee for the 26-year-old who they signed from Manchester United in January 2016 for £300,000.

If he stayed until the summer and ran his contract down, he would leave on a Bosman in June.

That is something which could happen with Ben Davies who is in the same contract position as Pearson.

Davies is being chased by Celtic who want him to sign a pre-contract agreement ahead of a Bosman in the summer.

Bournemouth, who are sixth in the Championship, have also been interested in Davies, offering £3m for him in the summer.

It was claimed earlier in the week that they could renew that interest before the deadline.

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