Reports surfaced before the game at Middlesbrough that Preston had rejected an £8 million bid for the striker. It later emerged that Reading and Leeds were now the leading contenders to sign the frontman.
It is understood that Reading were the team to have the bid rejected. Jaap Staam confirmed that they had made Hugill a priority signing but it was now unlikely to happen.
Alex Neil has stressed that he wants tokeep the whole of his squad together and does not want to lose the forward. Every player has a price and Preston's patience may well be tested over the next few days.