Preston North End staying silent over rumoured purchase of training ground for £1.6m

Sources close to the cash-strapped Latics insist that the facility near Chorley has been sold to North End for £1.6m.

But the hierarchy at PNE have yet to comment on the speculation, thus adding fuel to the fire. Wigan, who went into administration last month and are searching for a new owner, are currently selling off assets to pay off debts.

Already a number of players from their squad last season have been sold and the training ground at Euxton was identified as a saleable asset, especially as they still own their old training base at Christopher Park.

As far as North End are concerned, it would appear purchasing Euxton would be a no-brainer, especially as over the last few years they have explored ways of upgrading their training facilities.

Currently based at the dated Springfields in Lea, North End did submit plans in 2017 to build a state-of-the-art training ground complex at the site of Ingol Golf Club.

However, those plans have stalled in recent years and a move to Euxton would hand them the top-class, Premier League-standard training complex they have always wanted.

The administrators at Wigan are today expected to brief the Press when more light could be shed on the affair.

Meanwhile, it is understood North End are not in negotiations to sign any of Wigan’s current squad.

Reports circulating on Tuesday suggested that PNE had agreed personal terms with Latics striker Jamal Lowe and were in a three-way fight with Swansea City and 
Millwall.

It is believed North End boss Alex Neil is on the lookout for another striker, but Lowe – who scored just six times in 46 Championship appearances last season – is not on his radar.

One player who could be on his way out of Deepdale is veteran striker David Nugent.

North End have circulated his name to other clubs and are willing to listen to offers for the 35-year-old. The veteran forward returned to Deepdale last summer to much fanfare, having enjoyed a fine goal-laden spell with the club more than a decade earlier.

He scored 37 goals in 107 appearances for PNE from 2005 to 2007, scoring on debut for England against Andorra, before going on to appear in the Premier League with Portsmouth, Burnley and Leicester. Unfortunately, Nugent did not set the world alight last season, managing just one goal from 25 appearances.

He has a year remaining on his current  North End deal.