Preston North End have joined the race to sign red-hot Bristol Rovers striker Jonson Clarke-Harris, according to Bristol Live.

Preston are currently looking towards the play-offs under Alex Neil after a very strong start to the season and will be looking to add more goals to their attack, who have been sharing the goals around, of late. They have already completed the signing of winger Scott Sinclair from Celtic recently and Neil isn’t stopping there.

One more player that they have taken a keen interest in is Bristol Rovers striker Jonson Clarke-Harris, according to Bristol Live. Clarke-Harris has attracted a lot of interest from sides in the Championship, and rightly so after his goalscoring has seen Bristol Rovers aim for the play-offs this season.

Neil has reportedly sent scouts to watch Clarke-Harris’ performances for Rovers this season, along with nine other Championship sides, showing just how highly sought-after he is at the minute.

Here, we take a look at two pros and two cons to Preston making a move for Clarke-Harris in the closing weeks of this transfer window…

Pro: He adds goals to their side

Clarke-Harris has played just 33 league games for Rovers in League One, but he already has 20 goals for them. A truly immense number so early into his spell at the club.

Preston are suffering in that department at the moment as they are struggling to find a single player who can hit consistent goalscoring form in attack for them. Last time out against Charlton Athletic, Sean Maguire started in attack, and he only has four league goals to his name this season.

Josh Harrop took his tally to eight to draw level with Daniel Johnson as the club’s top scorer in all competitions this season, which outlines their lack of a constant route to goal this season as Johnson has only just come back from a lengthy injury lay-off.

Clarke-Harris would certainly add goals as well as a focal point to their attack with strong play in a variety of aspects in attack, which would very much suit how Neil sets up his Preston side each week.

Con: He has to make the step up

Having only ever managed to hit form in League One, there is an element of risk in signing a player like Clarke-Harris for a play-off push in the Championship, because there is some doubt over whether he can show the same consistency against higher quality defences.

Clarke-Harris played at Rotherham in the Championship for three consecutive seasons but only managed nine goals and two assists in 57 appearances. It has to be said that Preston are not in the same precarious position as Rotherham were and he has improved immensely since them, but this has to come into Preston’s consideration over a move for him in the coming weeks.

Pro: He won’t break the bank

It has been no secret that clubs in the Championship are under more restraint when it comes to finances, with Birmingham City and now Derby County being charged over breaches of Profit and Sustainability guidelines recently.

This puts each side in a position of great when it comes to how they conduct their January business, as not to overspend and face potential punishment from the powers that be, should it go wrong.

Clarke-Harris’ asking price is currently reported at £2million from Bristol Rovers, which presents Alex Neil with the chance to sign an in-form goalscorer for a fraction of the price that some other players would be available for. 

While it isn’t a nominal fee for a League One player, this is a much more favourable deal for Preston than other potential players.

Can you name Preston's top scorer from the last 15 seasons?

Con: They face a lot of competition

As mentioned previously, as many as 10 teams (including Preston) are keeping an eye on Clarke-Harris. The problem that this presents to Preston is that if they prioritise him as their number one target for the rest of the window, they might still miss out to a side who can either produce a more lucrative offer and make a more convincing argument for signing him.

Preston have a number of players who can operate up front which Clarke-Harris might see as too much competition and opt for a move to a team that absolutely require a striker this month.

If Preston were to miss out on him, they would be left at the end of the window searching for scraps or even worse, left without any reinforcements for the rest of the season, putting their promotion push at serious risk.