Preston North End Targeting Versatile Charlton Athletic Star – Is This the Transfer That Could Change Their Season?

Preston North End are interested in signing Charlton Athletic’s talented 20-year-old wideman, Thierry Small.

This is according to journalist Alan Nixon, who revealed North End’s interests in a Patreon post.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side has been in good form in recent weeks, going four games unbeaten in the league with a 2-1 win over play-off contenders Middlesbrough on Saturday.

This January, they made some subtle additions to the squad, bringing in Brentford loanee Jayden Meghoma and Plymouth Argyle defender Lewis Gibson, both of whom have played key roles since joining.

And it now appears that Small is on their radar, particularly after a promising performance against the Lilywhites in the FA Cup third round earlier this month, and the 20-year-old could be an excellent addition to Heckingbottom’s wing-back options in the future – though a deal may not be completed immediately.

Thierry Small on Preston North End radar but deal may have to wait until summer

As stated in the preceding paragraph, Nixon says that Preston has added Small to their list of targets ahead of a possible summer 2025 move.

While a transfer for the teenager could be negotiated in January, Heckingbottom and his staff are said to be happy to wait until June, when the winger’s contract at The Valley expires.

If North End chooses this option, they will still be compelled to pay a fee due to Small’s age, with a tribunal to establish the valuation.

Preston are considering the 20-year-old for either wing-back position after being pleased by him in an FA Cup clash earlier this month.

This interest has spurred the club’s top scout to follow up, with Small being kept an eye on in following Charlton encounters, where, although being a left-back by trade, he has been playing as a right-winger under Nathan Jones recently.

If Preston can get his services right away, it might help reduce the pressure on several players, with Small perhaps being viewed as a good replacement for Meghoma when his loan spell at Deepdale expires at the end of the season.

Thierry Small is finally living up to his potential that was invested upon as a teenager

Charlton signed Small on a short-term contract in February and had the option to extend it for another year, which they used to retain him at The Valley until the end of the season.
While he has not been at his best throughout this period, he has shown flashes of brilliance, such as in the FA Cup tie against Preston, where he assisted Luke Berry’s goal in a 2-1 defeat.

The teenager was extremely fortunate to score his first goal of the season on Saturday, as his last-gasp victory secured all three points against Shrewsbury Town.

Small has taken some time to settle into the professional game, having been a potential academy prospect for Everton until departing Goodison Park in 2021 to join Southampton.

Having denied down £1.5 million in compensation for Small because they believed he was worth closer to £5 million, Everton had to settle for Small’s move to St Mary’s Stadium being handled by a tribunal, the actual amount of which was never released.

After failing to make an impression with the Saints, Small has had to attempt and restart his career with Charlton in the last year, and he has certainly rekindled his fans.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *