Preston North End nearing a deal for Doncaster Rovers midfielder Ben Whiteman

It has been reported that League One side Donny have accepted PNE's bid of around £1.5m for the 24-year-old.

Should Whiteman put pen to paper, he would become North End's first permanent signing of the January transfer window after completing loan deals last week for Jayson Molumby, Ched Evans and Daniel Iversen.

Rochdale-born Whiteman was on Manchester United's books as a youngster but was not offered a scholarship.

He joined Sheffield United and progressed through the ranks there, making 12 first-team appearances.

During his time with the Blades, Whiteman had loan spells with Mansfield and Doncaster, the loan at Donny turning into a full-time move in January 2018.

Since that permanent move, he's made 129 appearances, scoring 18 goals.

This season Whiteman has played 23 games for Doncaster, finding the net eight times.

He wasn't in their squad for last Saturday's FA Cup win at Blackburn Rovers.

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