Johnny Kenny is on the brink of a £3million Celtic exit after Preston North End launched a deadline-day move for the striker.

The 23-year-old is expected to leave Parkhead today and make the move south to the Championship, with Preston making their move as clubs race to complete their final business of the summer window. [SunSport]

Kenny had attracted interest from a number of Championship clubs, with Bolton Wanderers, West Bromwich Albion and Blackburn Rovers all previously showing an interest in the Republic of Ireland striker.

Preston have now moved to the front of the queue with a £3million bid.

It comes after Celtic are closing in on the signing of Chelsea prospect Shim Mheuka, who has passed his medical and is set to be unveiled as a new Hoops player.

The loan arrival of Mheuka could help pave the way for Kenny’s departure and Shaun Maloney has addressed injury concerns up front. 

Callum Osmand is expected to be sidelined for a few weeks, while Kasper Høgh will miss Wednesday night’s match against Aberdeen.

Høgh could, however, return to contention when Celtic travel to St Mirren on Saturday.

Kenny had previously been viewed as useful cover while Celtic dealt with their attacking injuries, but the emergence of Mheuka appears to have changed the situation.

The striker enjoyed a productive loan spell with Bolton last season, playing a major role in their promotion campaign and attracting significant interest from Championship clubs.

Bolton had hoped to bring him back this summer, but were unable to get a deal over the line.

Preston have now acted decisively on deadline day.

With less than seven hours remaining for Championship clubs to complete their summer recruitment, Kenny’s move will have to progress quickly if he is to become a Preston player.

The potential £3million fee would represent a significant return on a player who has spent much of his Celtic career away on loan. A lot more than the £1m asking price they had set last summer.