Preston North End boss Paul Heckingbottom want to bring Sheffield United striker Tom Cannon back to Deepdale this summer.

The Irishman joined Lancashire during the second half of the 2022/23 season on loan from Everton, when he scored eight goals in 20 Championship appearances.

That summer, Cannon moved permanently to Leicester City, however he failed to impress at the King Power Stadium and was loaned out to Stoke City.

His stint in the Potteries saw him recover his goalscoring prowess, earning him a permanent move to Sheffield United, although he struggled to find the back of the net consistently.

Now, a new rumour from Alan Nixon via his Patreon page on Sunday morning suggests that his initial loan club is considering a bid to bring Cannon back this summer.

Paul Heckingbottom’s eyes Tom Cannon Preston returns.

Preston has had a strong summer so far, with four new recruits, the most prominent of which is the permanent signing of last season’s standout loanee Alfie Devine from Tottenham Hotspur.

However, Heckingbottom appears to be far from finished with the transfer window as he seeks to transform the Whites from a well-established mid-table team to a promotion contender.

With that goal in mind, the former Sheffield United manager is planning an attack on his former club, according to Nixon’s most recent report, in order to lure Cannon away from Bramall Lane.

Tom Cannon – Sheffield United Championship Stats 2025/26

Apps

Goals

Assists

Minutes: 36 6 2 1,722′.

*As per Transfermarkt.

The Blades paid an initial fee of £7 million to recruit the Irish forward from Leicester in January 2025, which could grow to £10 million with add-ons, but they are apparently eager to recoup their investment if they sell him.

Cannon is under contract at Bramall Lane until the summer of 2029, although he is unlikely to stay if North End makes the right offer.

It’s fair to say that Cannon’s move to the Steel City hasn’t gone well, with only seven goals in 54 appearances across all competitions for Chris Wilder’s side, so a move away may be best for all sides.

The Preston move could help Cannon recover his goal-scoring form.

Cannon’s career thus far has been a peculiar one, with successes at Preston and Stoke offset by failures at Leicester and Sheffield United.

It’s apparent that the Irishman is a talented goalscorer who flourishes in the right atmosphere; it just isn’t working for him when he’s required to be the leader of a squad with promotion aspirations.

That is not to argue that Cannon may not be Preston’s best player if the club wants to finish near the top of the division this season.

A return to a familiar place where he was well-liked and prospered earlier may help him rediscover himself, especially with a creator like Devine offering him opportunities.