Preston North End have reportedly shown serious interest in Espanyol striker Marcos Fernandez as the Championship club look to complete a number of deals before the end of the transfer window.
Head coach Paul Heckingbottom recently claimed that his squad for the 2026/27 campaign was nowhere near completion, with the 49-year-old keen to strengthen his hand this month, particularly in attacking areas.
The club's search for a new striker is believed to have now taken them to Spain, with Fernandez being linked with a move to Deepdale by reputable sports media outlet, Mundo Deportivo.
They have claimed Preston 'are pursuing a deal to sign him as they look to lure him to English football', but have noted that Fernandez also has plenty of other admirers across the continent.
Real Mallorca, Real Oviedo, Lecce, Estoril and Legia Warsaw are all mentioned as having registered their interest, with the player believed to contemplating his next move.
Preston are in the market for a new number nine after losing a quartet of attackers from their 2025/26 squad.
Daniel Jebbison has returned to Bournemouth following his season-long loan in Lancashire, whilst Michael Smith, Will Keane and Lewis Dobbin have also bid farewell to the club.
Fernandez is available for a cut-price £2 million with North End amongst those ready to trigger his release clause, although a potential spanner in the works could come from the fact that Espanyol can automatically trigger an £8 million exit fee should they double the player's salary.
The 23-year-old hasn't featured for the La Liga side since joining from Real Betis B in 2025, but has continued to elevate his profile on the back of an impressive loan spell with Cuenta in the Segunda Division.
He notched 14 goals in 35 appearances for the club during his spell there, more than a quarter of Preston's entire 2025/26 Championship tally.
