Portsmouth transfer news: Championship rivals Preston reignite Callum Lang interest after failed £2m summer bid

Pompey are reportedly set to face a battle to keep Callum Lang this month.

That’s according to our sister paper, The Lancashire Evening Post, who have revealed Preston North End are weighing up a move to land the 27-year-old.

It’s believed the Lilywhites, who sit sixth in the Championship at present, are keen to reignite their interest in the forward after being touted with a failed swoop in the summer.

Lang was at the centre of transfer talk in July, with North End reportedly having a £2m bid rejected by the Blues for his services.

The forward, who has netted two goals this term, remained on the south coast but has endured an injury-hit campaign, with two separate hamstring issues keeping him sidelined for large portions of the season.

This has limited the ex-Wigan Athletic man to just eight outings for Pompey this term, netting on two occasions.

After a failed summer bid, Paul Heckingbottom’s side are said to be looking to return to the table as the head coach looks to strengthen before the February 2 deadline.

Lang is entering the final six months of his current Fratton Park terms, but the Blues do hold an extra 12-month option on his deal.

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Andy Cullen on Callum Lang’s summer interest

Andy Cullen quickly responded to talk of a summer departure for the forward, who arrived on the south coast in January 2024 for a reported £400,000.

The Blues chief called the speculation as ‘unsubstantiated’, but was understanding there would be interest in some of the club’s prized assets after an impressive return to the Championship.

He told the News at the time: ‘There is going to be speculation about players coming in and players going out.

‘However, we are never going to comment on players because it doesn’t help us, regardless of whether it’s true or not.

‘As you start to build up a really talented pool of players, which we believe we are doing at the moment with a number of different individuals - with Callum obviously one of them - then we’re always going to get rumours, conjecture and so-called interest.

‘Callum is really enjoying his football for Pompey and our focus - and Callum’s focus - is on getting fit and available for selection for the start of the season at Oxford.

‘I am not going to comment on anything in terms of unsubstantiated links with him.’

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