According to a report by The Lancashire Evening Post, Preston North End manager Simon Grayson is already working hard to snap up some early summer deals.

Preston had maintained an outside chance of reaching a play-off place until a couple of weeks ago and now they are simply playing for a top ten finish.

While there is nothing significant to play for, Preston manager Simon Grayson now has the chance to run the rule over his extended squad and start preparing for a promotion push next year.

The Preston gaffer is already eyeing a few transfer deals and has revealed that talks are already underway with agents as they look to bolster their squad ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.

Grayson said:

“We are talking to agents about deals for the summer and we will continue to do that.

“Without a shadow of doubt we are going to have new players at the club who will hopefully improve us and take us to another level.

“Other players will leave the club – that is football.

“It depends on the budget and what we have to spend.

“I have a rough idea of what we are going to need, I’m not going to say what because I might ask for more!

“I think things will evolve over different stages of the summer, like it did last year.

“We got a few in quite early, let things settle down and then did a bit more.”

One player who is rumoured to be on Preston's radar is Cork City striker Sean Maguire, who has been prolific in the Irish top tier.

He could follow in the footsteps of Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle to switch from the Airtricity League to the Championship.

Preston fans - would you like to sign Maguire? What do you make of this early business? Let us know below...