NORTH End are being linked with a big-money move for Jamaican striker Ricardo Fuller.

But the £800,000 price-tag being slapped on the forward could prove a stumbling block unless Preston's new boss Craig Brown trims his squad.

And that could give credance to the suggestion that West Brom are about to hit Preston with a £2million for midfield powerhouse Sean Gregan.

It wouldn't be the first time West Brom, recently promoted to the Premiership, have snatched one of Preston's valuable midfielders.

Two seasons ago, they took former Manchester United youngster Michael Appleton after he was alleged to have fallen out with then boss David Moyes.

Gregan has never played in the Premiership.

But talk of moving in for a striker may surprise fans given that Brown, currently commentating on the World Cup in the Far East, seems determined to beef up North End's defence first.

However, the departure of Steve Basham has left North End with just David Healy and Richard Cresswell upfront.

The situation in attack escalated earlier this week when it appeared that on-loan star Clyde Wijnhard had rejected a permanent offer from Preston North End.

Although the Huddersfield striker is out of contract, Wijnhard has opted to call North End's bluff and hope they offer him better terms on a deal. North End, for their part, are keen to keep wages low following the collapse of ITV Digital, which is expected to cost North End £5million.

Discussions had been ongoing between club and player since the end of last season when Wijnhard's deal ran out.

The forward arrived at Preston on a free transfer from Huddersfield towards the end of last season and hit three goals in six games in the disappointing run-in.

New boss Craig Brown left for the Far East with Wijnhard's future in doubt and he handed over responsibility to chief executive Tony Scholes.

But Scholes has admitted the gap between the player's demands and the offer on the table was too great and Wijnhard is likely to be on his way. Talks are continuing with winger Gareth Ainsworth's agent in the hope that he will return to Deepdale for a fourth time.

He has made no bones about the fact he would love to come back to Preston, even if means taking a pay cut.