Preston North End's Emil Riis could be on his way out of Deepdale this summer, with Middlesbrough keen to seal a transfer move for the player.

Boro boss Chris Wilder is eager to add another striker to his team this window and having looked around the market for a suitable option, the manager has now settled on Riis as his latest transfer target as first reported by Football League World's exclusive sources.

With the player an important part of the PNE first-team, boss Ryan Lowe won't be too keen to let the 24-year-old leave Deepdale this summer. The former Plymouth boss himself is after another striker and wouldn't want to sell one of the options he already has.

Now, a report from Football Insider today has revealed that the Lilywhites want £8m for Riis this summer window - and that means that Boro will have to stump up the cash if they want to seal a deal for the forward.

Preston signed the player on a deal from Randers back in 2020/21, as they looked to add more strikers to their ranks. He featured in 38 Championship games for them that term and managed two goals but since then he has thrived and become the forward the club wanted.

He managed a haul of 16 goals and five assists in 38 starts for the side in the Championship last time around and a similar return could see the club be play-off contenders this season. However, he may not have chance now, with Middlesbrough wanting to snap up the player.

With Preston and Ryan Lowe not wanting to sell though, they've laid out the price they want - and now Boro will have to pay it if they want the striker this summer window.

The Verdict

Preston have a good player on their hands in Emil Riis and they know that he can produce the goods in the Championship.

Boss Ryan Lowe will definitely want a player in his ranks that can bag a double-digit goal haul, especially when you consider that they've scored a total of one goal so far in their games so far this campaign. They need more strikers themselves, so selling Riis could be a mistake for the side.

When the Lilywhites consider their struggle to find strikers who can manage big goal hauls in the past - Jordan Hugill and Callum Robinson being the last - they won't want to get rid of their latest one in a hurry. £8m is a big price for the player but you'd have to think the Lilywhites would want at least that amount if not more before they think about a sale.

If Middlesbrough and Wilder want to sign him then, they'll need to put their money where their mouth is this window.