Tom Cannon transfer news as Preston chief confirms talks with Everton
Everton have met twice with Preston North End to discuss the future of Tom Cannon next season, according to Lancs Live.
The 20-year-old enjoyed an impressive loan spell at Deepdale since moving in the winter window, netting seven goals from just 11 Championship outings.
Preston Cub director Peter Ridsdale has now revealed to BBC Radio Lancashire that the Toffees would preferably like to loan the striker out again next season.
He said: “Clearly, we still hope that Tom Cannon is somebody we could get back. He was a big hit with us last year.
“We’ve already met with Everton twice. They had to wait to see where they finished in the season and we’ve met them since the season finished, but we are looking at others as well.
“My understanding, and I can’t speak on behalf of Everton, is that in an ideal world they’d prefer to loan him again. He’s only 20-year-old.
“I think he has a huge future ahead and I think they think he’ll play some part in the future, but probably, I can’t really speak for them, but I think they think that another loan would benefit him.”
Hold firm
Although Preston might be interested in taking Cannon this summer, Everton must hold firm and keep hold of the academy graduate.
With Dyche not yet told his summer spending purse, the manager might not be able to get as many attacking reinforcements as he first hoped, which is where Cannon comes into the fold.
Neal Maupay is expected to leave Goodison Park this summer, while Ellis Simms hasn’t taken Dyche’s fancy since returning from his Sunderland loan in the January transfer window.
Although Dominic Calvert-Lewin showed glimpses of his best form towards the end of the season, the Englishman can’t be trusted to accumulate more than 5-10 matches without picking up an injury, so extra numbers are a necessity.
After leaving a goalscoring trail in his wake for The Lilywhites, the next step up for the 20-year-old is to hack it at Premier League level.
The Toffees fanbase would love one of their academy’s players to rise the ranks and hack it at the first-team level.
Hopefully, Dyche and Everton will give the forward the opportunity he deserves.