Preston North End will prepare for their 12th consecutive season in the Championship.

The Lilywhites will be hoping to make the play-offs next season under Paul Heckingbottom after finishing 14th last season, winning only two of their last seven league games.

With the summer transfer window opening this week, Preston has the opportunity to bolster key areas of their squad in order to challenge for the upper echelons of the second tier standings, after failing to break into the play-offs during their most recent long stint in the Championship.

To help break the slump, the signing of a top-class centre forward could be critical, and Preston appear to be looking for new blood at the top of the pitch to improve their fortunes.

According to the Lancashire Post, Preston’s objective is Plymouth Argyle attacker Lorent Tolaj, who is thought to have admirers at Celtic, Derby County, and Millwall after a great season in League One with the Pilgrims.

However, any move will be contingent on an exit at Deepdale, with Preston hoping to move as soon as possible to add firepower to their squad.

Preston North End consider a summer move for Lorent Tolaj.

According to Lancashire Post journalist George Hodgson, Preston North End have high hopes of signing Plymouth Argyle striker Lorent Tolaj this summer.

Tolaj has been electrifying in a Plymouth shirt since moving to League One last summer, contributing 26 goals in 33 games for the Pilgrims, including 18 goals and eight assists in the third tier, and his four goals also helped the Devonshire club win the EFL Trophy.

Preston is expected to pursue Milutin Osmajic if he leaves Deepdale, which is possible given he is in the final year of his contract.

According to the article, Tolaj will be available for roughly £3 million, but Plymouth are anxious to maintain their Swiss frontman as they aim to return to the Championship as soon as possible.

However, Tolaj will find it tough to turn down a promotion to the Championship, especially given his goal-scoring record at Home Park.

Lorent Tolaj might thrive on the championship stage.

Lorent Tolaj was one of League One’s star forwards last season, and he was instrumental in the Pilgrims’ turnaround under Tom Cleverley, which saw them just miss out on the play-offs.

The Swiss striker finished the League One season in style, scoring four goals and assisting four times in his last six games, demonstrating that he is a striker who can both score and create opportunities in abundance, ticking the boxes for several Championship clubs.

Such a late purple patch, combined with his overall consistency throughout the season, has demonstrated he is a Championship player in the making, and he has thoroughly justified his opportunity to put his name in lights on the second tier stage.

A move to a club like Preston could be a wise decision for Tolaj, who would be guaranteed playing time if Osmajic left and would be playing for a squad that has established its reputation on being a competent mid-table second-tier outfit.

However, if Tolaj can hit the ground running and provide enough firepower, Preston may be able to get into play-off contention, with the chances of doing so rising now that the top eight will have a shot at Premier League glory starting next season.

There’s no doubt that signing someone like Tolaj, who has no prior Championship experience, is a risk, but he’s a forward with a natural eye for goal and will be eager to succeed in the next phase of his career.

He undoubtedly has plenty of ability and promise, so Preston should strive to close a deal fast if they want to compete at the top of the division.