Football
Exclusive: Coventry Target Patrick Bauer After Preston Exit – Derby and Oxford Also Keen
Coventry City, Derby County, and Oxford United are interested in former Preston North End defender Patrick Bauer. The 32-year-old, who left Preston after six years, has attracted attention due to his proven capabilities as a centre-back. Despite injury setbacks in recent seasons, Bauer could be a valuable addition for any of these clubs on a free transfer. Stay tuned for potential transfer moves as the summer window progresses.
Patrick Bauer, Telegraph UK, November 8, 2019 by Paul Cooper | Getty Images
Coventry City have expressed an interest in signing former Preston North End defender Patrick Bauer, but more Championship clubs are interested in doing a deal for the proven centre-back, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
Bauer, 32, left the Lilywhites last month after six years with the Lancashire club.
The towering defender joined the Championship club from Charlton Athletic in June 2019, but despite being a mainstay of Preston’s side for the first few seasons, he slipped down the pecking order the last two seasons because of injury problems.
And our sources have learnt that both Derby County and Oxford United have held initial discussions about trying to snap Bauer up on a free transfer.
In all, Bauer played 95 Championship games for Preston, having previously had English second tier experience with the Addicks when he first signed for them in 2015.
But over the last two seasons he has played just two league games, with frustrating injuries having contributed to his rapid fall down the pecking order at Deepdale.
Bauer was one of a string of players released by the club this summer, along with shot-stopper Freddie Woodman (who joined Liverpool), midfielder Ryan Ledson and striker Emil Riis.
TRANSFER MOVES
Coventry have been relatively quiet in the transfer market thus far, but have recruited three new players ahead of the new season starting next month.
The Sky Blues signed highly-rated right-back Kaine Kesler-Hayden from Aston Villa, as well as Granada CF left-back Miguel Angel Brau.
And Bauer could represent an astute signing providing he can stay fit following 24 frustrating months of having played little first-team football.
The Rams and U’s are understood to be weighing up respective moves as they also look to strengthen during the current window.
Bauer played for Maritimo in the Portuguese Primera League before his first foray into English football.
Since then he has spent a decade of his career playing in League One and the Championship.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.