Barrett hits back at excessive demands claim

The Arsenal striker, who is on a season's long loan with Brighton & Hove Albion, looked set to make a permanent move to the Lancashire club.

However, The Lilywhites pulled the plug on a move to sign the 21-year-old, with chairman Derek Shaw claiming that Barrett's agent was demanding money for his client that was in excess of what was being currently paid to Preston strikers Ricardo Fuller and Richard Cresswell.

Barrett has since refuted those comments, stating his demands were not excessive as Preston claim.

Barrett told The Argus: "I know my agent. He's a close personal friend as well and I was aware of everything that was going on. He came to me before he did anything.

"I wouldn't even call them demands. There was just maybe a breakdown in communication.

"The demands were nowhere near excessive. They were very fair for what I've achieved so far and what I potentially will achieve in the future.

"I was really impressed with them, but they have stated the deal is off."

Preston decided to turn their intentions elsewhere on Thursday by signing South African international striker George Koumantarakis from Swiss side Basel until the end of the season.