Reports that Crystal Palace had agreed an £8m fee with Preston for Jordan Hugill appear to be premature.

Ian Dennis, a journalist for the BBC, took to twitter to reveal that no deal had been struck between the two clubs.

The North End striker has been regularly linked with a move away from Deepdale, however it was a surprise to many to see the Premier League side emerge as the frontrunners to signing Hugill.

The 25-year old has been a target for Leeds and Reading over the past month and this has followed on from intense speculation on his future in the previous window.

After several bids were rejected by the club in the summer, Hugill handed in a transfer request but no move materialised.

With 18 months left on his current deal, Alex Neil and the Preston board may be inclined to allow the player to move on, knowing his value may decrease.

The powerful forward has scored eight goals in the Championship this season and is the top scorer for his club, whilst he notched 12 in the previous campaign.

The Verdict

Ian Dennis is a very reliable reporter which suggests the deal for Hugill is not as far along as many had thought, although he didn’t dismiss Palace’s interest.

Clearly, it’s going to be difficult for Preston to hold onto their key man, especially if a Premier League side genuinely want to sign him.

Palace’s interest in the player will also be a big blow to the likes of Leeds and Reading who are desperate to sign a striker in the coming days and saw Hugill as a perfect option.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.