Preston North End boss Paul Heckingbottom wasn't holding back halfway through January when he said it would be criminal if his squad wasn't stronger coming out of the transfer window than when they went into it. North End have paid for Andy Moran as well. North End waited as long as they could before accepting their loanee from the first half of the season wouldn't be back from Everton to end the campaign. As well as the permanent departure of Keane and the return of Armstrong to Everton, North End have let Mads Frokjaer and Stefan Thordarson leave on permanent deals. So, it's a huge blow to lose Armstrong, but Moran and Lang both look like good permanent captures going forward.

Source: BBC February 04, 2026 16:11 UTC