Championship captain refuses to play to force Wrexham transfer as manager warns ‘he’d better hope they pay’

WREXHAM are closing in on Preston North End captain Ben Whiteman – who has come under fire for “crossing the line”. SunSport understands that the Welsh Hollywood club have offered around £2.5m for the 30-year-old midfielder. Ben Whiteman wants to move to Wrexham Credit: Getty Paul Heckingbottom has issued him a stern warning Credit: Getty The Lilywhites skipper is pushing for a move, leading him to skip the club’s pre-season friendly against Stockport County. Tensions boiled over following Preston’s 1-0 loss, with manager Paul Heckingbottom raging at Whiteman’s conduct. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Heckingbottom said: “We’ve been in regular conversations in the last few days, and Ben knew there was a line I didn’t want him to cross. Unfortunately he has, and you can’t have that.“My priority now is the players that are here and the players who want to play for us, and represent the club. “Also Craig (Hemmings, owner) will have an issue with that, and Peter, because they pay the wages and things. “There’s a valuation on him. I just hope for Ben’s sake that Wrexham are willing to pay it, otherwise he’s put himself in a really sticky situation.” “He’s made his bed, I’m not bothered, as long as I get another player.” Hit by a shortage of available first-team players, Preston’s friendly against Barcelona at St George’s Park on Monday was cancelled. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS SunSport understands Heckingbottom wanted to avoid risking key players with the season starting next week. Wrexham are keen to add another central midfielder to provide competition for Matty James and Ben Sheaf after signing 13 players last summer. Whiteman, who came through Manchester United‘s academy, has been at Deepdale since January 2021 and has made 224 appearances. Preston are entering their 12th consecutive Championship season after finishing 14th, while Wrexham are bidding for promotion after narrowly missing the play-offs. Comment now