Preston North End have reportedly joined the race to seal a loan move for Manchester City goalkeeper Arijanet Muric. 

According to the print edition of the Sun (via the Lancashire Evening Post), Preston are interested in a temporary deal for the Kosovan shot-stopper and have enquired about his availability.

The Premier League champions are understood to be willing to let the six-foot-six 20-year-old leave the club on loan this season but the Lilywhites may face competition from Nottingham Forest for his signature.

Forest are believed to also be keen on bringing in Muric, most likely as competition for Costel Pantillimon who joined the club last summer.

The Kosovo international has made five appearances for the Citizens, all in the EFL Cup last season. The 20-year-old played every game during the run to the final but was left on the bench for the win against Chelsea at Wembley.

The arrival of the City keeper could be a useful addition to Alex Neil's side as they look to build on last season's 14th-place Championship finish.

Verdict 

Muric is clearly a highly-regarded keeper at the Etihad, given that Pep Guardiola was happy to use him as his backup for the entirety of last season, and would likely be an improvement on the options that Neil currently has at his disposal.

The Preston boss will be likely be looking to make improvements at the back after his side conceded the seventh most goals in the Championship last season.

Declan Rudd was Preston's number for the majority of that campaign, but he is just one of five senior goalkeepers currently at the club and Muric's arrival would surely mean the departure of at least one of those.

With City understood to want Muric to play the maximum amount of first-team minutes, Deepdale may be a more attractive location, as he will likely have to compete with Pantillimon for the starting spot at Forest.

Additionally, Preston is roughly 30 miles from Manchester, which may make it a preferable move for the 20-year-old as it keeps him close to home.