Stoke City, Preston North End and Sheffield United join race for Aberdeen defender | OneFootball

Preston North End, Stoke City and Sheffield United are all keen on the services of Aberdeen full-back Jack MacKenzie

Preston North End, Stoke City and Sheffield United are all keen on the services of Aberdeen full-back Jack MacKenzie, who recently received his first call-up to the Scotland national side.

The 24-year-old was an unused substitute as Scotland fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Croatia in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday, but he has impressed in the Scottish Premiership with Aberdeen, and Alan Nixon has revealed that the Championship trio are interested in MacKenzie's signature.

The left-back's contract with The Dons expires next summer, and Nixon reports that Preston, Stoke and the Blades are therefore more likely to make their expected moves for the ace at the end of the season, rather than in January.

MacKenzie signing could be a real transfer coup

Due to the fact that his Dons contract expires at the end of the season, MacKenzie will be available on a free transfer next summer, meaning that one of the interested Championship trio will be able to add to their ranks without having to pay a transfer fee.

The Blades could well be plying their trade in the Premier League next campaign, and are unbeaten after nine Championship games, whereas both Preston and Stoke have endured more difficult starts, and look more likely to remain in the second tier.

But whoever gets their hands on MacKenzie on a free transfer could be rubbing their hands with glee, as the Scotland international has shown his class north of the border.

This season, the 24-year-old has established a new-found attacking ability, with one goal and four assists in 13 appearances across all competitions, a greater return than he has ever managed in any previous campaign.

Furthermore, MacKenzie is solid defensively and has won 73.3% of tackles he has attempted in the Scottish Premiership so far this term as per FotMob, while his appetite to get forward is epitomised by the fact he has made 12 touches in the opposition box in just seven top-flight outings.

He could also be ready to make the switch to English football, and is well-equipped to adjust his game to different styles, having played in both the Europa League and Conference League last season.

After remaining on the bench during Scotland's loss in Croatia on Saturday evening, the left-back could be set for a place in Steve Clarke's starting 11 as the Tartan Army host Portugal on Tuesday night, but will need to be at his very best against high calibre opponents, while the three Championship clubs who hold a transfer interest in him will likely watch on.

Blades promotion push could decide transfer race

Alongside the Potters and the Lilywhites, the Blades hold an interest in MacKenzie's services, and boast serious promotion credentials as previously mentioned.

If Chris Wilder's men do secure promotion to the Premier League come the end of the season, then that would surely make them favourites in the race to sign MacKenzie, while the full-back would also be keen on testing his quality in Europe's most prestigious league.

But interest from the Lilywhites and the Potters is unlikely to go away, while the Blades are currently enduring a period of uncertainty, as the club have been up for sale since May 2023, according to Bloomberg, but no takeover deal has been agreed with current owner Prince Abdullah.

While MacKenzie's contract with Aberdeen lasts until the end of the season, he appears likely to bide his time before deciding on a potential move away next summer.