Preston North End Submit £3m Bid and Offer Four-Year Deal for Celtic Striker Johnny Kenny

Preston North End Lead Race for Celtic Striker Johnny Kenny in £3m Deadline-Day Swoop

Celtic striker Johnny Kenny is set to complete a £3m move to Preston @talkSPORT

— Alex Crook ⚽️🎙 (@alex_crook) September 1, 2026

According to reports from Alex Crook and Anthony Joseph, North End have moved into pole position to land the 23-year-old Republic of Ireland international, beating out competition from Championship rivals Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side have made strengthening the front line a primary priority before tonight’s cutoff following significant summer squad rotation. Having missed out on alternative targets earlier in the window, PNE have shifted focus to secure the Sligo-born frontman on a permanent basis.

Kenny spent the second half of the 2025/26 campaign on loan at Bolton Wanderers, where he registered 6 goals and 3 assists in 14 appearances to help secure promotion to the Championship. Across his career with Shamrock Rovers, Sligo Rovers, Celtic, Queen's Park, and Bolton, the 23-year-old has amassed 54 goals and 16 assists in 174 appearances.

Alongside completing the attack, Preston are reportedly continuing to explore options for a central midfielder in the final hours of the window. Rumours have gathered pace that former captain Alan Browne could make a sensational return to Deepdale from Sunderland before the deadline passes.

Browne, who made 414 appearances for North End across a ten-year spell before leaving in 2024, is entering the final year of his deal on Wearside and is being heavily linked with a move back to Lancashire.

Striker Priority: Kenny’s arrival on a four-year deal secures long-term attacking depth at Deepdale.

Championship Competition: North End effectively moved ahead of Blackburn and former loan club Bolton to secure his signature.

Late Midfield Move: PNE officials remain actively scanning the market for a central midfielder, with former skipper Alan Browne linked with a return.

Negotiations are in advanced stages as Preston aim to complete the documentation before the window shuts