Preston have had a disappointing 2026, with Paul Heckingbottom’s team winning only twice since January 4.

That effectively ruined North End’s chances of making the play-offs, and a disappointed fan base now faces another mid-table finish.

However, there is reason to be optimistic this week, as Amr Zedan, a US-Saudi billionaire, has been rumored to take over the club.

Preston takeover latest: Amr Zedan interested in buying Championship team.

It’s no secret that Preston’s owners, the Hemmings family, have been open to a sale, and the club announced in January that they’d held conversations with numerous parties, including Zedan.

However, they were quick to point out that it was still early days and there was no certainty that Zedan or any other potential buyer would complete a deal for the Championship team.

This week saw significant events, including Zedan’s probable takeover of Preston.

Amr Zedan attended the Preston versus QPR game.

Preston takeover speculation escalated after Zedan was observed watching Heckingbottom’s side draw 1-1 with QPR at Deepdale on Easter Monday.

Zedan had previously shown a desire to get into football, and he was linked with a move to Chelsea before speaking with Preston.

So it’s evident that he’s willing to invest, and the fact that he was spotted in Deepdale meant there was always going to be speculation that he’s getting closer to buying North End.

Since then, there have been no official club updates, although sources say he is now ‘advancing’ with a move to the Lancashire club.

The Hemmings family is looking about £12 million to £15 million for Preston.

Following that, sources suggest that the Hemmings family is willing to sell North End for between £12 million and £15 million, but they will ensure that the club goes to a credible buyer.

In today’s game, that is a fairly low fee, especially given that Preston is a stable Championship team with decent facilities and their own stadium.

So, the Hemmings family is looking out for the club’s best interests, and no one can accuse them of attempting to price Preston out of a sale, as £15 million will undoubtedly be viewed as a great deal by prospective owners.

With the club’s potential, you’d expect a lot of interest alongside Zedan, but the hierarchy will need to figure out who are legitimate bids and who are just wasting time.

Amr Zedan gets a local businessman on board.

While the price may not be a barrier for Zedan or any other genuine buyer, they will need to prove to the Hemmings family that they are capable of moving the club forward.

We have seen numerous incidents of clubs falling into the wrong hands, which can have devastating results.

So, it is commendable that the Hemmings family conducts their own due diligence on each potential buyer. On that front, it has been reported that Zedan is bringing on board a local businessman, which is a wise decision.

While the figure is not named, having a local person involved in the bid allows him to gain a better knowledge of what the fans desire, what the club represents to the local community, and how to develop a link.