Aberdeen have made their move for Jonny Hayes and want to get him in for pre-season training this week.
The Dons have opened talks with the freed Celtic winger and Derek McInnes is looking to get a deal tied up quickly.
The Pittodrie side have offered Hayes the security of a two-year deal and are aware the 32-year-old is willing to take a hit from what he was on at Celtic.
Aberdeen’s board and chairman Dave Cormack, despite the club’s financial predicament, have sanctioned the move to bring the popular Irishman back to Pittodrie.
The Dons now hope they can agree terms over the next 24 to 48 hours that would allow Hayes to start training, with the Dons set to return to Cormack Park in small groups today.
Cormack wasn’t keen to sign players while he has staff on furlough but manager McInnes had made it clear that Hayes is his top target.
The other issue for Aberdeen is they couldn’t afford to play the waiting game with Premiership rivals Dundee United, Hibs and St Mirren interested while English League One side Blackpool were the first of the English teams to make their move.
Hayes had five great years at Aberdeen from 2012, where he helped McInnes’ side lift the 2014 League Cup.
The winger then moved on to Celtic where he has played a part in their title wins over the past three seasons.
But surprisingly he was released by the champions last month – and Hayes made it clear immediately that he would be keen to make a return to Aberdeen.
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