Preston North End have opened talks with goalkeeper Declan Rudd over a new contract with the club, following reports linking him with a move to Rangers, Football Insider have revealed.
It was recently claimed that the Scottish giants are taking an interest in the 25-year-old, who is out of contract at Deepdale at the end of this season, something which could help Rangers secure his signature for a reduced price in January.
According to the latest reports however, it appears as though North End are reluctant to lose one of their key assets, with the Championship side now in talks with Rudd over a new deal in a bid to hold off Rangers' interest.
Rudd, who originally spent time on loan with Preston between 2013 and 2014, returned to Deepdale from Norwich on a permanent basis in the summer of 2017, and has been an ever-present between the posts in the league for the Lancashire side this season, helping them to second place in the current Championship standings.
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As well as Rudd, Preston currently have Connor Ripley, who featured in their three Carabao Cup games this season, Mark Hudson and Michael Crowe as their current goalkeeping options.
Rangers are apparently considering their goalkeeping options due to the fact that first-choice goalkeeper Allan McGregor will turn 38 in January, with second-choice Wes Foderingham out of contract at the end of this season.
The Verdict
I think this is a smart move from Preston.
Rudd has been a regular feature between the posts for North End this season, and with the club starting to mount something of a promotion challenge, they may not want to lose any of the momentum from that by losing any of their regulars.
The fact therefore that Preston have moved quickly here to try and keep Rudd at the club, does seem to signal a statement of intent from North End, as they look to maintain their impressive start to the Championship season.
Indeed, with their other current goalkeeping options lacking in experience at this level, it does seem as though keeping Rudd at Deepdale could be rather important for Preston going forward.