3 strikers Preston North End must consider signing as they prepare for life without Cameron Archer

Since his arrival at Preston North End in the January transfer window, Cameron Archer has been a revelation for the Lilywhites and has enhanced his reputation as a clinical goalscorer.

Unfortunately for PNE fans though, it looks like the end of the 2021-22 season could very well be the last time Archer is seen in the club’s shirt.

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard confirmed that the 20-year-old, who has seven goals in 15 appearances for North End, will be in and around the first-team for pre-season training and will not be available for a loan, so unless something changes following that then Archer will be hoping for Premier League minutes in 2022-23.

That leaves PNE with a big void to fill next season though – let’s look at THREE strikers who could fill Archer’s goalscoring boots at Deepdale.

Liam Delap

PNE were one of a plethora of Championship clubs linked with taking Man City starlet Delap on loan last summer – only for the Premier League champions to not let the teenager depart as they wanted him around the first-team.

City also reportedly turned down a £15 million offer for Delap from Borussia Dortmund, and it’s easy to see why big clubs were interested thanks to his 30 goals in the 2020-21 campaign – he even scored for the senior side in the EFL Cup.

2021-22 has been more of a struggle though as Delap spent a number of months out injured and only returned to action in February – he’s scored five times though in the under-23’s Premier League in eight outings.

You get the feeling though that a Championship loan spell next season would be extremely beneficial for Delap’s development though – it would be an ambitious move from PNE but they’ve shown that good young Premier League talents can develop under their care.