Preston North End man heads to Sheffield Wednesday as Xisco Munoz reacts to new addition
Preston North End have sold defender Bambo Diaby to Sheffield Wednesday. The centre-back has left Deepdale for an undisclosed fee ahead of the start of the new Championship season.
The Lilywhites signed him back in January last year on an initial short-term basis. His deal was then extended and he went on to make 24 appearances in all competitions.
Preston have now given him the green light to head out the exit door on a permanent basis for a new challenge elsewhere. He has linked up with a Sheffield Wednesday side who are preparing for life back in the second following their promotion from League One.
Their boss Xisco Munoz, who replaced Darren Moore earlier this summer, has told their website: “Bambo is a big, strong centre-back. He is very quick with the positions in defence.
“He has a very good mentality, he will always make sacrifices for the good of the group and he will bring a lot of balance to the squad.”
Ryan Lowe has swooped to sign Jack Whatmough following his recent departure from Wigan Athletic which has paved the way for Diaby to depart. Prior to his move to Lancashire, the Senegalese defender had a spell at Barnsley and played 21 times for the Tykes.
He has also had spells at Sampdoria, Lokeren and Girona in the past. His new side take on Southampton at Hillsborough on Friday night in the opening game of the new campaign and he is in line to make his debut.
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Fernandez spent last season on loan with PNE as Manchester United sent him out for first-team experience.
The Spaniard – formerly of Real Madrid – had never made a senior appearance before heading to Deepdale.
Fernandez came in to compete with former United man Robbie Brady as the starting left wing back under Ryan Lowe.
The 20-year-old enjoyed a hugely productive season with PNE, racking up 27 starts and 12 substitute appearances in the Championship.
That has been massively beneficial for Fernandez’s development and PNE fans would love to see him come back for another year at Deepdale.
Fernandez has admitted that North End have been trying to re-sign him this summer but he wants to test himself at a higher level.
PNE fans have largely accepted that stance but seeing him join Burnley would be tough to swallow.
Sky Sports claim that Burnley are looking to snap up Fernandez this summer as Vincent Kompany targets a new left back.
The Clarets saw Ian Maatsen excel on loan from Chelsea last season but he looks unlikely to return this term.
That means Kompany and co are looking at other options with Fernandez one of them.
North End’s rivalry with Burnley maybe wasn’t what it was in the 2000’s but it would still sting to see a PNE fan favourite head to Turf Moor.
We went through a similar situation last summer when Burnley were heavily linked with signing Sepp van den Berg after his PNE loan spell.
That deal didn’t end up happening and PNE fans will now hope that Fernandez ends up elsewhere this summer as Burnley consider their left back options.
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