A frustrating Sunderland claim has emerged regarding their failed pursuit of Troy Parrott in the summer transfer window... 

What's the talk?

Shortly before Preston confirmed the Irishman's arrival, The Northern Echo reporter Scott Wilson claimed that the Black Cats made an offer to sign the youngster from Tottenham.

He tweeted: "TRANSFER LATEST: Preston look to have won the battle to sign Troy Parrott on loan from Spurs. Major blow for #SAFC, who had made loan offer for Irish international. #Boro were also interested, although not to the same extent as Sunderland..."

Sunderland Echo journalist James Copley added to that by explaining why Kristjaan Speakman was unable to seal a deal, tweeting: "Understand part of the reasoning behind Troy Parrott choosing Preston is that he has been promised a starting position. The Republic of Ireland man is set to begin the campaign as one of two strikers leading the line for Ryan Lowe this coming season."

Alex Neil will be gutted

The Black Cats manager will surely be gutted by this revelation, as it shows that the club missed out on the attacker to one of their Championship rivals.

It also means that Sunderland are still set to head into the opening match of the campaign this weekend with just one senior centre-forward in their squad.

Ross Stewart is the only available striker on the books and an injury to him against Coventry would leave them in a difficult situation, with no natural replacement able to come into the side.

Parrott would have offered Neil an alternative at the top end of the pitch after an impressive campaign on loan at MK Dons in League One last term.

The Republic of Ireland international chipped in with nine goals and six assists in 36 outings for Liam Manning's side. Whilst that was not an incredible return which suggests that he will score 20+ goals in the Championship, his statistics show that he has the quality to make things happen in the final third - whether that is scoring or setting up goals.

At the age of 20, Parrott is still in the early stages of his career and may develop as he gains valuable experience next term, which means that he could grow over the course of the campaign and become a key player for Preston.

Neil will now be gutted that he has missed out on the chance to work with the centre-forward for Sunderland during the 2022/23 campaign.

AND in other news, Neil plotting Sunderland bid for £500k target who "rarely misses", imagine him & Pritchard...