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Football

11th Jul 2019

Preston accept bid from Premier League club for Callum Robinson

Conan Doherty

24 years of age, three full seasons under his belt, Callum Robinson is going back to the big time and he’s ready.

Three years ago, despite dropping a division themselves, Aston Villa offloaded Robinson and it’s proving to be a misstep.

Robinson signed for Preston, by way of a loan to Bristol City, and has gradually built himself into a quality attacker with international experience and a bright future ahead of him in the Ireland jersey – and now the Premier League.

Conán Doherty: The thing about Callum Robinson

On Thursday, Preston North End confirmed that they have given permission to Robinson to talk to an unspecified club in the top division.

He hit 12 goals last season in the Championship, playing most of his football wide on the left, and he endeared himself to the Lansdowne Road crowd more and more, showing up well in an otherwise flat end to Martin O’Neill’s tenure.

In a statement, the club broke the news to their fans.

“Preston North End can confirm they have accepted a bid from a Premier League club for forward Callum Robinson.

“The player has been given permission to leave the team’s Irish training camp in order to discuss personal terms and undertake a medical ahead of a proposed move.

“There will be no further comment from the club at this time.”

In one rarity of the transfer window, the transfer destination is not yet known for sure but Sky Sports reported last week that Norwich were leading the race to sign Robinson.

Newly-promoted rivals Sheffield United could also be in contention with both clubs well aware of the threat of the player, having faced him at his sharpest over the last couple of seasons.

Robinson has left their Cork-based training camp where the rest of them are honing their hurling skills.