Preston North End have recently been reigniting their interest in Portsmouth attacker Callum Lang. The 27-year-old had been an interest of PNE going back to last summer. The wide-man saw a bid rejected of around £2m last summer, in a move which would have seen the experienced forward move to Deepdale.
Lang’s 2025/26 season has been disrupted by injuries. Including two separate hamstring issues, including one that required surgery in August and another setback on Boxing Day which has left him with just two goals in eight appearances so far.
That injury-hit spell has created a window where Preston believe a deal might be more achievable than it was in the summer.
Portsmouth, however, still value him highly. Local reporting suggests they’re braced for interest but not actively looking to sell, especially given how important he was last season when he scored 10 goals in 32 league games
Speaking on Preston’s rejected bid, Portsmouth CEO Andy Cullen spoke to The Post, and kept his cards close to his chest. “As you start to build up a really talented pool of players, which we believe we are doing at the moment with a number of different individuals – with Callum obviously one of them – then we’re always going to get rumours, conjecture and so-called interest.
“Callum is really enjoying his football for Pompey and our focus – and Callum’s focus – is on getting fit and available for selection for the start of the season at Oxford.
“I am not going to comment on anything in terms of unsubstantiated links with him.”
Callum Lang gives Preston something they’re missing: direct threat, end product, and high‑volume ball‑carrying.
Even in an injury‑hit 2025/26 he’s produced 2 goals in 578 Championship minutes, with a 0.31 goals‑per‑90 output that outperforms several of PNE’s current wide options.
His career record of 82 goals and 22 assists in 318 senior games shows he consistently arrives in scoring positions.
Lang’s dribbling and progressive‑carry numbers mark him out as a winger who forces defenders backwards rather than recycling play.
Add in his ability to play across the front line and press aggressively, and Lang instantly raises Preston’s attacking ceiling, giving them a wide forward who can create, carry, and finish at Championship level.
On Wednesday, news emerged that a bid of £1.5 million had been rejected by Portsmouth for Callum Lang. Now, fans may look to see if North End return with a new bid or end their pursuit for the frontman.
