Loan bid for Preston North End midfielder Daniel Johnson was 'silly' says Alex Neil

Wigan asked about taking the midfielder to the DW Stadium on a season’s loan but that request was turned down by PNE.

Whether Wigan maintain their interest and return with a cash bid for Johnson, remains to be seen.

Neil said: “I think there was an enquiry for DJ, it was quickly dismissed because it was silly.

“DJ is a good player for us and we want to keep good players.

“Listen, every player at every club has a price.

“The simple fact is if someone comes in with a big offer for any player, any club is within its right to look at it.

“However, we are not in the business of trying to end the window in a weaker position than we started it.

“I’m not going to let people go who I deem make us stronger.”

Although 26-year-old Johnson does divide opinion among the North End fan base, he remains a key member of the squad.

He and Paul Gallagher are options to be playmakers in a deeper midfield role next to Ben Pearson.

He had made 185 appearances in a Preston shirt since signing for a bargain £50,000 from Aston Villa in January 2015.

Last August he signed a new contract with North End which runs until the summer of 2021.