Preston North End will be looking to improve on their 13th-placed finish in the Championship during the 2021/22 campaign.

The Lilywhites started the season under the stewardship of Frankie McAvoy, before Ryan Lowe was tasked with improving the situation at the club, arriving from Plymouth Argyle.

Making a noticeable improvement since his December arrival, the 43-year-old now has his first full summer in charge at the Championship club to bolster the competition levels within the squad.

Creating a platform in which the Lancashire club can now build upon, Lowe will be targeting a further improvement, with sights likely to be set on challenging for a play-off spot.

In order to achieve that, Preston's recruitment will be key during the next few months.

Here, we take a look at eight transfer scenarios that might play out at Deepdale over the next few months, now that the Championship season has come to an end...

Steven Gerrard is set to run the rule over Cameron Archer during this summer, with the Aston Villa manager likely to make a decision regarding his immediate future during that time.

Should it be deemed best for the young forward to embark on another temporary spell, then Preston will be eager to place themselves in a good position to welcome him back.

However, it is likely that his potential availability will alert lots of clubs who would be willing to take him on loan.

Another loanee that Preston would ideally want to welcome back to Deepdale this summer is Daniel Iversen, with the Leicester City goalkeeper thriving at Deepdale in his 18 months at the club.

The 24-year-old is also likely to generate widespread interest if Leicester have no immediate plans to keep him around the first-team set up.

An excellent shot-stopper, with great levels of composure and ability with the ball at his feet, Iversen has proven to be one of the Championship's best goalkeepers in recent years.

Should the Lilywhites struggle to bring Iversen back to Lancashire, then they are likely to try their luck with other goalkeeping options.

Jamie Cumming, Nathan Baxter and Gavin Bazunu all represent examples of players with high potentials who are currently contracted at some of the country's elite, with the Championship the next logical step for the trio.

Looking down the permanent route, Matt Ingram appears to be an immediate option for the Lancashire club to consider.

If a deal for Archer is not possible this summer, then it is likely that Lowe will look to bolster his attacking options during the summer.

Perhaps a Premier League loan could be the way they go again, following the success that Archer saw last time out.

Archer's success with the Lilywhites could act as a positive for the club, with top-tier clubs likely to be more trusting of Preston as a destination.

Bringing in Bersant Celina could be a massive coup during this summer, with the 25-year-old enjoying an excellent loan spell with Ipswich Town from Dijon.

The Kosovo International certainly has the ability to ply his trade in the higher division, with Preston being a destination he could thrive at, given the style of play and likelihood of seeing regular minutes.

They would probably have to battle for his services, given the evident ability he has shown with the Tractor Boys during the 21/22 campaign.

Nathan Byrne could be brought in to bolster the club's defensive options this summer, with North End linked with a move for the experienced defender.

The Lilywhites will have to battle with Millwall and Stoke City for his signature, following Derby County's relegation to League One.

Operating as a right-back in a solid back four for the Rams, he has the attacking intent and energy levels to be deployed in a slightly more advanced wing-back role.

A left wing-back, with real attacking intent could also be quite high up the priority list this summer, with the wing-back positions playing a big role in the way Lowe operates.

A Premier League loan or a more youthful option coming through the lower leagues could be the way to address this seeming void at Deepdale.

However, it remains to be seen if this is an area that Lowe is scanning, given the transfer links that have emerged in other positions.

Emil Riis has proven to be a top level performer at times this season for the Lilywhites, displaying his abilities as an important source of goals, all whilst showing excellent link up play and physicality.

The 23-year-old is likely to be central to Lowe's plans for next season, and with the young forward at Deepdale, they can be ambitious about their chances of succeeding during the 2022/23 campaign.

Given the ability he is showing, combined with the incredibly high ceiling, Riis could emerge as a transfer target elsewhere this summer.