Preston issue statement as fellow Championship club Middlesbrough FC are linked with Emil Riis Jakobsen

Boro are keen to bring in two strikers before the transfer deadline on September 1, with Chris Wilder having stated that he remains positive that deals to sign four players - including a central midfielder and left-sided centre-half - will be sealed by the closure of the window.

Reports suggest that Riis, 24, who was outstanding in Preston's 4-1 win over Boro on the final day of last term, is a big target for the Teessiders, who have money to spend following the big-money sales of Djed Spence and Marcus Tavernier.

Riis netted twice against Boro and also scored in the earlier fixture on Teesside en route to a haul of 20 goals last term, which eanred him a Denmark call-up.

A statement issued by Preston, who host Rotherham United on Tuesday evening, read: "The club are aware of rumours in the public domain regarding offers for one or more of our players.

"We have not currently received any acceptable offers for any of our players. Should this position change, the club will make a statement at that time."

Boro have recently brought in two strikers in Brentford forward Marcus Forss and US international attacker Matthew Hoppe and have also tabled a bid for Groningen frontman Jorgen Strand Larsen, although the club’s respective valuations appear to be apart.