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...
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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
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
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
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