Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is facing stiff competition from England’s Championship and League One in the race to sign Ross County’s Jason Naismith.
The Dons are understood to be the only Scottish club to have made a formal enquiry to County regarding the 23-year-old defender.
But two lower English Championship sides and three from League One – believed to include Derek Adams’ Plymouth Argyle and relegated Burton Albion – have also made contact about Naismith.
The Dingwall club’s co-managers Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson are eager to keep the former St Mirren right-back, who is contracted until summer 2020.
Unlike most of his team-mates, Naismith was not offered the re-negotiated terms that would have triggered the option of walking away for free – a decision Thomas Mikkelsen, Craig Curran and Chris Routis all took.
A senior County source indicated the club would fight to keep the player they signed from St Mirren for an undisclosed sum in January 2017. But if he does go, the club is determined to secure a proper fee.
He said: “Some people seem to have forgotten Jason is very much a Ross County player, under contract for another two seasons.
“If Aberdeen or anyone else want him, the club chairman and management team are absolutely clear that it will have to involve an acceptable fee as compensation.
“It seems the clubs most likely and willing to do that reside in England, not Scotland. There is significant interest from the lower end of the Championship and upper end of League One.”
Naismith’s wages already fell within the club’s reduced budget for next season’s Championship campaign and County see no need to off-load arguably their best performer last season.
But the Dingwall outfit privately accept that if Naismith wants to go and their valuation is met, the former Scotland youth and under 21 international will be allowed to leave.
County co-manager Stuart Kettlewell refused to confirm there had been approaches for Naismith from south of the border, but stressed: “Stuart is a Ross County player and is under contract for the next two seasons.
“We have made it clear to Jason and everyone else how much we want to keep him.”
In January, County resisted a swell of interest in Naismith from England and the player remained committed to the Staggies’ ill-fated Premiership survival bid.
But after relegation was confirmed, Naismith made it clear he was considering his future.
The defender said: “It is too early to say what the future holds as there are a lot of people I need to speak to.
“But I’m happy at County and like staying in the Highlands. I love the club, the place and the people up here. That is what hurts me about going down.”