According to reports, Preston North End and Ilay Camara, a defender for RWD Molenbeek, have not discussed the Belgian’s transfer preferences, which are believed to be Standard Liege.
Journalist Sacha Tavolieri made this
claim via his X account on Monday morning. The Lilywhites will be devastated by this, as The Lancashire Post exclusively disclosed that the 21-year-old was the club’s transfer target back in June.
Tavolieri had earlier in the transfer window reported that Burnley, Coventry City, and French Ligue 1 side Stade de Reims were reportedly interested in signing Camara, and that Preston was up against them for his services.
Supporters of North End may be a little surprised by this because on Saturday night, the Belgian outlet HLN’s transfer live blog (July 27, 22:06) claimed that the club was going to win the competition to sign himDespite Belgian claims, Preston North End is not in talks to sign Ilay Camara..Despite their initial interest, Preston and Camara have not had any formal discussions about moving to Deepdale this summer, according to Belgian journalist Tavolieri.According to Tavolieri, the wing-back’s ideal outcome this summer is a deal between Molenbeek and Belgian powerhouse Standard Liege. The former Anderlecht defender is holding out for this to happen.The Lancashire Post reported earlier in the summer that the former Belgium youth international could join the club for a fee of between £1.5 million and £2 million. This would be Camara’s second summer transfer in as many windows; she only moved to Molenbeek from Anderlecht last summer.
Although Camara has a deal with Molenbeek that runs through the end of the 2025–2026 season, the club’s relegation from the Belgian first division seems to have opened up exit doors, as the player is reportedly open to the idea of playing in England.The former Belgium youth international could join the team for a fee of between £1.5 million and £2 million, according to a report from The Lancashire Post earlier in the summer. Considering that Camara only relocated to Molenbeek from Anderlecht last summer, this would be her second summer transfer in as many windows.
Despite having a contract with Molen beekthat expires at the end of the 2025–2026 season, Camara appears to have exit options because he is reportedly open to playing in England following the club’s relegation from the Belgian first division.
It has therefore come as no surprise that Lowe is looking to bolster that area of his team this summer, but it won’t be with Camara.
Preston has not been interested in Chelsea defender Alfie Gilchrist this summer, according to reports from The Lancashire Post. The Lilywhites have also reportedly agreed to terms for two wing-backs, though it now seems doubtful that Camara is one of them in light of today’s revelation.
Right wing-back became a bit of a problem position for Preston in the later part of the season after Brad Potts sustained multiple hamstring injuries in the second half of the previous campaign.
None of the people who tried to take over for Potts there—including Alan Browne, Robbie Brady, Liam Millar, and Duane Holmes—thought it was a natural position, and most of the time it really showed.
Supporters of PNE will surely be disappointed by Monday’s news, as they too hope to see their team sufficiently strengthened before the window closes, in order to shake off their mid-table slump and contend for a top-six finish once more.
But in a move that might only fan the flames of frustration that are starting to burn brightly in some corners of the North End fan base, Lowe and his hiring team might have to start over in order to locate their man.
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