Striker's agent drops transfer hint amidst Sunderland links as Preston North End stance revealed

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Aiden McGeady netted both goals for the visitors as Lee Johnson’s Black Cats gained some valuable minutes before the new season.

Sunderland have announced the signing of former Huddersfield Town attacker Alex Pritchard and ex-Blackburn Rovers midfielder Corry Evans alongside Machester City defender Callum Doyle on loan.

However, further reinforcements are expected at the Stadium of Light in the coming weeks.

PRESTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Joe Rafferty of Preston North End appeals after a penalty is rewarded to Reading during the Sky Bet Championship match between Preston North End and Reading at Deepdale on January 24, 2021 in Preston, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Here, though, we take you through some of the more interesting stories you may have missed today:

Preston North End transfer stance ‘revealed’

Sunderland are keen on making a loan move for Preston North End right-back Joe Rafferty.

That was according to reports from The Sun on Sunday.

However, the Lilywhites are reluctant to let him depart Deepdale, says the Lancashire Post.

It is thought that Frankie McAvoy is reluctant to let Rafferty leave the club.

Indeed, if the full-back was to depart Deepdale, North End would be looking for a transfer fee instead of a loan move.

The defender has just one year left on his contract.

The latest on Sunderland striker ‘target’ pursuit

Guy Melamed’s agent says the former St Johnstone striker could return to the United Kingdom this summer

The striker departed St Johnstone in the summer amid interest from Sunderland and Scottish clubs.

His agent Clive Hart says League One clubs remain interested amid the Sunderland link, but a move to Scotland may suit the player: “Guy has turned down a few offers recently. When he can earn more in Israel, he is stuck a little bit between the two. I think the bottom line is that he wants to come back to the UK.

“The right phone call from a Scottish club this week or next I think he would come back. I think it would be a matter of timing if a deal was to be done. There were a couple of League One clubs interested but I don’t think people in England have quite seen enough of him yet. I would like to see him stick around in Scotland and I have told him that.”

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