Rangers have already had a bid for Kenny McLean rejected by Aberdeen this summer.
After Rangers raided Aberdeen for their influential captain, Ryan Jack, the Scottish Premiership runners-up were unlikely to let any more of their star men join the club who finished nine points below them last season.
As expected, Aberdeen took little time in announcing that the 25-year-old, arguably the best player outside of Celtic last season, would not be leaving Pittodrie this summer – especially not for such a minimal fee.
Aberdeen’s Kenny McLean
And it appears that The Dons, who finished runners-up in all three domestic competitions last season, are making strides to all but end any hopes Rangers may have had of pulling off a headline-grabbing coup this summer.
Out of their grasp?
“It’s very important that we do all we can, keeping players who have done well for me happy – that’s as good a message as bringing in new signings,” manager Derek McInnes, who rejected a move to Sunderland to see through his project at Pittodrie, told the Daily Record.
“I’d love to speak to Kenny and one or two others now, going into the last year of their contract.”
Aberdeen may be taking a risk attempting to keep McLean for another season. The Scotland international is out of contract next year and, if he does not agree a new deal, this may be the last chance they have to at least compensate for his departure with a cash windfall.
Yet, the club’s ambition, and the fact they have brought in exciting new additions with Greg Tansey, Greg Stewart and Ryan Christie with Shaun Maloney set to follow, means it’s an exciting time at Aberdeen.
For now, however, it appears that Rangers will have to play the waiting game and hope McLean would rather play for last season’s third place side than commit his future to The Dons.
Therefore, you wonder if they will regret making such a derisory offer.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
