Stoke City are among a string of English clubs who are keen on signing Scott Fraser.
Michael O’Neill is keen on the Scot but has to move other midfielders on before he can offer a deal.
Stoke will also face competition from other Championship rivals.
Newly-promoted Rotherham have already made a move but Fraser has knocked that transfer back.
League One promotion hopefuls Sunderland and Hull City are also pushing hard.
The 25-year-old is a free agent after he decided against renewing his contract at Burton Albion.
Fraser is set to make a decision on his future within the next fortnight.
The former Dundee United player is waiting for clubs to finalise their budgets and put their final offers on the table, with wage caps coming into place across the English Football League.
Hull have been long-term admirers and were keen to get him in January but their financial muscle has been diluted by their relegation to League One.
Promotion rivals Sunderland are also pushing hard to try to beat them to Fraser’s signature.
Fraser has made a name for himself after moving from Dundee United in 2018, where he had two successful campaigns with Burton.
