Celtic have made contact with Preston North End midfielder Ben Pearson, according to Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph.

The former Manchester United player’s current deal at Deepdale expires at the end of the season and the Hoops are thought to have made a move to sign the 25-year-old on a pre-contract agreement:

Celtic are interested in signing Preston North End central midfielder Ben Pearson on a pre-contract.@SkySportsNews understands that initial contact has been made for the 25-year-old, whose current contract expires in the summer.

— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) January 1, 2021

Pearson has been at Preston since leaving United nearly five years ago, having racked up 165 appearances for the Championship club during that time. However, he has not played for North End since the beginning of December, with the player looking destined to leave either in January or in the summer.

Pearson is a holding midfielder by trade, who doesn’t contribute many goals or assists, and it’s likely the Hoops are anticipating the possible retirement of Scott Brown.

The Celtic legend’s contract at Parkhead expires in the summer and it remains to be seen whether he will retire or accept an extension keeping him at Scottish champions for another year.