Preston North End could be set for their fourth signing of the summer, with Stanley Mills looking ever more likely to join.
Alan Nixon reported that the Lancashire club could complete the signing in the next few days for just under £2m.
The winger was on loan at Oxford United last season, scoring three goals and assisting four as ‘The Us’ narrowly missed out on survival.
In a struggling side, Mills’ numbers look more commendable, and at only 22-years-old, he’s still got plenty of room to grow.
Paul Heckingbottom views Mills as essential to the new formation change, where North End are looking to utilise wingers rather than wing-backs in a bid to more expansive.
Mills certainly fits the profile that would be required, with technical qualities that would be of great benefit to PNE’s attacking momentum.
Stanley Mills’ Style of Play
Primarily a right winger, he can also play centrally and on the left, Mills is an exciting winger who possesses great ball-carrying ability.
36 successful dribbles, 166 duels won, 95 touches in the opposition box, and 29 fouls won – he’s someone who causes defenders many problems with his dribbling.
Defensively, he works tremendously to track back with 117 recoveries, 116 defensive contributions, 54 tackles, and 47 aerial duels won.
With a high work rate, he’ll work hard out of possession and will be a crucial player in transition, using his speed to hit teams on the counter and create chances.
Creating 35 chances, 9 considered ‘big’, and b 24 successful crosses, the former Oxford winger would link up well with the likes of Jusuf Erabi and Milutin Osmajic whose profiles require a high level of service.
When Oxford shocked North End with a 3-1 win at Deepdale in March, Mills assisted Will Lankshear’s decisive goal despite claims it was actually his goal.
Volleying the ball outside the box, the ball to nick from the Spurs loanee’s foot and crept into the bottom corner, despite this he still terrorised the Preston defence all night as he created four chances and made six passes into the final third.
It seems that match was an audition in which he thoroughly impressed Paul Heckingbottom and co. enough to make him a transfer target.
Is He A Good Signing? – Opinion
This would be a tremendous coup for Preston, who will be adding another dynamic attacking player into their ranks.
With the signing of Alfie Devine and Jusuf Erabi, the attack is starting to shape up for the Lilywhites.
More is needed in the defensive department next, with full-backs needed alongside another centre-back.
Another striker is currently being targeted which would provide more firepower and depth for North End, with Kevin Carlos previously being poised for a move before rejecting.
If a few more bodies come through the door at Preston, there may have to be some conversations needed about their ceiling this season.
Photo of Jack Tucker
Jack Tucker
Jack is a Sports Journalism graduate from University of Lancashire (formerly University of Central Lancashire) and is a prominent figure in the Preston North End community; as the host of the #1 PNE fan-owned podcast 'The Butter Pie Podcast', appearing multiple times on BBC Radio Derby and BBC Radio Coventry…