Aberdeen are still trying to persuade St Mirren star Jamie McGrath his future should lie at Pittodrie.
The Dons have been long-term admirers of the Ireland international, having tried to secure his services in the summer last year.
Now Stephen Glass’ side are understood to have returned to the table with the playmaker’s contract set to expire at the end of this season.
The 25-year-old is now able to talk to prospective new clubs about a pre-contract switch, with Aberdeen set to face stiff competition for his signature.
While the Saints have already offered him a bumper new club record contract to try and persuade him to stay at the SMiSA Stadium, there are also a host of English clubs poised to strike.
Wigan saw a £300,000 bid rejected in July last year, while Peterborough, Sheffield United and Middlesbrough have also all been linked with the talented midfielder. A dramatic late move to Hibs also fell through at the eleventh hour.
St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin has previously spoken of his desire to keep McGrath in Paisley, but admits the club may be unable to compete financially with the teams chasing the former Dundalk star.
Speaking at the time of offering McGrath improved terms, Goodwin said: “We’ve made an incredible offer to Jamie, we need to make that clear. We’ve made him an offer we’ve never made a player in the history of the club.
“But we’re not stupid. We know he’s going to have numerous other offers and no doubt someone might come in and blow us out of the water.”
Meanwhile the Buddies have rekindled their interest in signing Hibernian midfielder Alex Gogic.
Goodwin was keen to bring the Cyprus international to Paisley when he left Hamilton Accies in July, 2020 but couldn’t compete with the Easter Road side’s contract offer with the 27-year-old agreeing a two-year deal with the side then managed by former Saints boss Jack Ross.
Now it’s understood new Hibs boss Shaun Maloney is open to the idea of Gogic moving away from the Edinburgh club, with St Mirren and Ross County both keen to secure his services.
Saints enforcer Alan Power, who plays a similar role to Gogic, only has six months left on his contract, while McGrath is likely to move away from Paisley either this month or in the summer.
Gogic could help to strengthen the Buddies’ midfield options, either now or in six months time.
Goodwin stated last week he was looking to add some pace to his stuttering side, who haven’t won a Premiership clash since a 3-2 win against Ross County back in mid-October last year.
