9 free agents that could interest Preston North End - including ex-Ipswich Town and Coventry City men

By George Hodgson

Published 28th May 2026, 14:33 BST

The free agent market could prove an important one again for PNE

It remains to be seen what resources Preston North End have to work with in this summer’s transfer window.

Whether a takeover is concluded at Deepdale or not, though, the free agent market - as well as loan - is one the Lilywhites will surely look to.

Last summer, PNE brought in a number of free transfers and manager Paul Heckingbottom expects them to still play a part moving forwards.

With that in mind, we’ve scoured the latest retained lists and pulled out some names North End may well cast an eye over...

The versatile attacker saw a memorable spell at Ipswich Town come to an end this summer. He spent last season on loan at Portsmouth and has both experience/success at Championship level on his CV. While his peak may have been and gone, Chaplin is still a clever operator with quality in his locker. Derby County have been credited with interest.

1. Conor Chaplin

The versatile attacker saw a memorable spell at Ipswich Town come to an end this summer. He spent last season on loan at Portsmouth and has both experience/success at Championship level on his CV. While his peak may have been and gone, Chaplin is still a clever operator with quality in his locker. Derby County have been credited with interest. | Getty Images

A player who has been linked with PNE in the past. The left-back turned 29 this month after playing 28 league games for Sheffield Wednesday last season. Leicester, Stoke and Middlesbrough have been linked so far but a left back/left centre-back could well be on Preston's agenda this summer. He has 149 appearances at this level to his name.

2. Max Lowe

A player who has been linked with PNE in the past. The left-back turned 29 this month after playing 28 league games for Sheffield Wednesday last season. Leicester, Stoke and Middlesbrough have been linked so far but a left back/left centre-back could well be on Preston's agenda this summer. He has 149 appearances at this level to his name. | Getty Images

The midfielder has left Stoke City after four years in the Potteries. He is fondly thought of there - something few recent Stoke players can probably say. Baker has strong pedigree and while 31, is a quality operator on his day. A heel injury limited him to 18 appearances last season, which is a concern, but he made 35 the season before and scored eight goals.

3. Lewis Baker

The midfielder has left Stoke City after four years in the Potteries. He is fondly thought of there - something few recent Stoke players can probably say. Baker has strong pedigree and while 31, is a quality operator on his day. A heel injury limited him to 18 appearances last season, which is a concern, but he made 35 the season before and scored eight goals. | Getty Images

Strangely, the attacking midfielder signed a short-term deal at Oxford United in January but left at the end of the season - having scored three goals. Peart-Harris came through the youth ranks at Chelsea and was picked up by Brentford, in 2021, for a reported £1.4m. He had loan spells at Forest Green Rovers, Portsmouth and most recently, Swansea. He is now 23 and looking for a permanent home, having racked up 100 appearances across League One and the Championship.

4. Myles Peart-Harris

Strangely, the attacking midfielder signed a short-term deal at Oxford United in January but left at the end of the season - having scored three goals. Peart-Harris came through the youth ranks at Chelsea and was picked up by Brentford, in 2021, for a reported £1.4m. He had loan spells at Forest Green Rovers, Portsmouth and most recently, Swansea. He is now 23 and looking for a permanent home, having racked up 100 appearances across League One and the Championship. | Leila Coker/Getty Images

Sheffield Wednesday Ipswich Town Portsmouth