Preston and Portsmouth will go head to head in the summer transfer window, with both sides set to compete for the signing of defender Sean McLoughlin, according to The Irish Independent.

The 22-year-old McLoughlin has been with Irish side Cork City for the entirety of his career, but could now be set for a move to England.

Preston were interested in McLoughlin in January, but were deterred by Cork's £250,000 valuation of the defender. With the defender's contract now set to expire at the end of the year, McLoughlin asking price could now be reduced, something which has attracted Preston's interest again in the past few weeks.

That interest from Preston has reportedly attracted the attention of Portsmouth, who are also thought to be interested in the 22-year-old, who has made 56 appearances and scored five goals for Cork during his short career so far.

The verdict

This is an interesting one.

Both sides must have seen something in McLoughlin for them to be keen to bring him over to England, and they may have to move quickly before interest in the 22-year-old grows.

Given Preston's Championship status and previous dealings with Cork in signing Sean Maguire and Kevin O'Connor, you would have to make them favourites to secure the signing of McLoughlin.