The Whites have already failed with one attempt in bringing the player to Deepdale and now the Robins claim that they have rejected the Whites bid to take the 21-year-old on loan.
"Preston approached us about a loan, but I made it clear Clayton was not available," City boss Brian Tinnion told his clubs official website after the Robins LDV Vans trophy game against Milton Keynes Dons on Tuesday night.
"He is part of our first team squad and I am not interested in letting him leave temporarily."