YORK City could be poised for a bumper cash boost after Preston North End boss David Moyes claimed today he is willing to "break the bank" to land former Bootham Crescent starlet Jonathan Greening.

The Lilywhites' supremo, who earlier this month snapped up ex-City striker Richard Cresswell from Leicester, confirmed he has entered the race to land 22-year-old Greening.

With clubs scrambling for the Scarborough youngster's services a bidding war can only be good news for City, who stand to bank a sizeable chunk of any transfer fee received by United.

Preston chief Moyes clearly rates Greening highly and has indicated his determination to take the 22-year-old top prospect to Deepdale.

Moyes said today: "We have made a substantial offer for Jonathan and are awaiting to hear from United. He is the captain of the England Under-21 side and that speaks for itself how good he is.

"Jon is the type of player we are looking to bring to the club - but the matter is out of our hands at the moment.

"We have made a substantial bid - one that could possibly break the club record fee."

The North End transfer record currently stands at the £1.5m Moyes paid for former United striker David Healy last season.

Certainly, North End will have to splash a lot more cash to land Greening, with United slapping a £3million price tag on his head.

As reported in the Evening Press, Middlesbrough's new boss, York-born Steve McClaren, Sir Alex Ferguson's ex-assistant at Old Trafford, is believed to have tabled a near £2million bid for Greening. West Ham are also watching the situation closely.

Preston would hold obvious attractions to Greening, who has decided to quit United because of a lack of first-team opportunities.

It would mean he would link up with his former City team-mate Cresswell, who Moyes bought from the Foxes for £500,000. Nor would he have to move from his Lancashire home

Wherever he does end up, the Evening Press understands the Minstermen will earn a percentage - thought to be around 25 per cent - of the difference between what City have already received for Greening and the transfer sum.

To date, City cashed £350,000 when Greening moved to Old Trafford in March 1998 and a further £500,000 from an appearance-linked clause.

Should Greening move for around £3million it means City could stand to land a further figure of around £500,000.

The cash would be a major fillip to cash-conscious City, who have trimmed their wage bill and squad considerably this close season.

Updated: 12:34 Wednesday, July 25, 2001