Preston North End make advances as Heckingbottom closes in on deal, Sheffield Wednesday benefit for one reason

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Preston North End are set to sign a new full-back this summer, which will likely see their interest in one Sheffield Wednesday star begin to cool.

The 2025/26 Championship season is less than two weeks away, and second-tier clubs are gearing up for the challenge by adding to their ranks this summer.

Last season proved to be a marker for where several clubs were, and one that will be hoping for a significant improvement this season is Preston North End.

Preston came close to the drop under the stewardship of Paul Heckingbottom last season, which has proved to be a wake-up call for the club.

As a result, they are looking to add to their ranks, with a trialist full-back set to join the club on a permanent deal.

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Preston North End set to sign Montenegro left back Andrija Vukcevic

According to a report from Alan Nixon via Patreon, Preston North End are set to sign Montenegro left back Andrija Vukcevic.

The defender has been on trial with Paul Heckingbottom’s side this summer, having featured in pre-season fixtures. It is clear that Heckingbottom has been impressed by Vukcevic during his trial period, with the signing set to be confirmed.

The 28-year-old, who has 18 caps for Montenegro, where he has notably played against the likes of Belgium and the Czech Republic, has endured a journeyman career, playing for eight different clubs. His most recent experience was notched in Spain for Cartagena, but he was on loan from the Mexican side Juarez.

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Why Sheffield Wednesday will be glad to see Preston North End make defender move

With it looking like Preston North End and Paul Heckingbottom have found their man in Andrija Vukcevic, it is highly likely that their interest in Sheffield Wednesday ace Max Lowe will cool down.

Sheffield Wednesday currently find themselves in a hugely difficult situation, due to a severe lack of first-teamers after Dejphon Chansiri sanctioned the departure of many top players, and Lowe following them out of the doors at Hillsborough would have been catastrophic.

Unfortunately, with plenty of time left in the summer transfer window, it would be no surprise to see other Sheffield Wednesday players targeted by Championship clubs, including Preston North End, who have already benefited from a deal to bring in Michael Smith.