Moult on move to Preston after £500k swoop

MOTHERWELL have agreed a deal close to £500,000 for the sale of star striker Louis Moult to Preston North End in January, with Rangers among the clubs missing out on securing the 25-year-old on a pre-contract agreement.

The Ibrox side had registered their interest in discussing terms with the player with a view to summer switch, but Alex Neil’s Championship club moved quickly to firstly tie Moult down to moving to Deepdale at the end of the season, and then accelerating his Fir Park departure by coming to terms with Motherwell on a January move.

The Scottish Premiership side have also insisted upon a sell-on clause should Moult move on from Preston in the future, although the exact percentage is being kept under wraps.

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson is understandably disappointed to see his top scorer leave Fir Park, but reluctantly admits that he understands his board’s position.

“Louis has made a terrific contribution to this football club,” Robinson said. “We are sorry to see him go at this stage, but he leaves with our thanks and best wishes.

“The player made clear he would not be extending his stay after the end of the season. So, when the offer came from Preston, we had to weigh up whether the money would benefit the club against the risk and reward of keeping him and then allowing him to leave on a free.

“We accepted the offer based on that it would be best for all parties now that a club has agreed a contract with the player.”

Moult’s soon to be former team-mate, Ryan Bowman, who he has struck up a fruitful partnership with this season in attack for Motherwell, has no doubt that Moult has what it takes to succeed not only in the English Championship, but at the highest level of the game in the future.

Bowman has thanked Moult for bringing his own game on this term, and he praised the attributes of the former Stoke City and Wrexham forward as he explained what Preston will be getting for their money.

“He’s [been] a big help,” said Bowman. “I didn’t get to play much with him last season but this season we’ve worked really well together. He’s been a big help for my game.

“He has the quality to go to the top level, of course he has. He scores goals but it’s more than that. It’s his play in and around the box, it’s his link-up play. He’s strong, although he doesn’t look it with his build, but he’s a strong lad.”

Speaking earlier in the season about his future, Moult remained vague about whether or not he was going to sign an extension on his current deal offered by the Motherwell board, a contract that would have made him the top earner at the club by a fair stretch.

It always seemed unlikely, however, that an agreement would be struck with the time ticking down to the next window.

Speaking in the summer, the former Wrexham striker said: “If someone had told me that a couple of years ago when I was playing part-time football I would probably have laughed at you.

“I’ve worked hard, I’ve scored a few goals and people are interested. I’m very grateful.”