Aberdeen FC poised to swoop for four
But Hughes hitch holding back any early moves
Published:
ABERDEEN FC assistant Scott Leitch today confirmed Aberdeen aim to sign four new players before the start of the season.
But Aberdeen FC will not move for any other players until their bid for Motherwell midfielder Stephen Hughes has been resolved.
Hughes, 26, is out of contract at Motherwell but is being tracked by a number of SPL and English Championship clubs.
Leitch said: “We are looking to bring in four new players, ideally before the start of the new season.
“Our aim is to monitor the squad and use the next few weeks to identify areas we need to strengthen.
“Stephen Hughes is different because he is available and we know exactly what he can do after working with him at Motherwell.”
Leitch and Dons boss Mark McGhee face tough competition to land the ex-Scotland Under-21 midfielder.
But they are convinced their previous links with Hughes at Fir Park can persuade him to forego potential big money moves to England, in favour of Pittodrie.
“We are still working hard to get Stephen Hughes to Aberdeen,” said Leitch.
“Stephen has received offers from a couple of Championship sides and there are also a few SPL clubs who are after him.
“So we face competition, but we are still in with a good chance of securing him.
“He has not made a decision on where he will go, but hopefully he will pick the right club, and that club will be Aberdeen.
“Ideally, our previous link with him at Motherwell will act as an incentive for him to come to Pittodrie.
“He knows what he will be coming to if he rejoins Mark and myself.
“Even though Championship sides are talking to Stephen, we are still hopeful he will come on board with us.”
Aberdeen have been linked with potential moves for Jamie McCunnie, Jim Paterson and Motherwell’s Brian McLean.
But Leitch insists the battle to land Hughes has been their main priority.
“For now, a lot of the focus has been on Hughes because we know what capable of,” he said.
“We have not really spoken to anyone else.
“For now we are just concentrating on seeing what players we have at Aberdeen, and where we need to strengthen.”
