Aberdeen still in race for ace Kerr
Dons are midfielder’s top Scots choice
Published:
ABERDEEN were today offered fresh hope in their bid to sign midfielder Mark Kerr.
Jimmy Calderwood fears the Scotland B cap will move south when he quits Dundee United.
But Kerr’s agent Scott Hume claims his client has not ruled out staying in the SPL.
Hume said: “Aberdeen are still in with a strong shout because as far as Scotland is concerned they are top of Mark’s wish list of clubs.”
Preston North End, Nottingham Forest and Hearts are also tracking the 26-year-old who will sever his ties with Dundee United this month.
Hume confirmed he has been in negotiations with a number of English lower league clubs as well as the Dons.
But the Reds could be forced to compete with English clubs who have bigger budgets at their disposal.
“Negotiations are going on with Aberdeen, although I have not been in contact with Willie Miller for nearly two weeks,” said Hume.
“There is interest from England with a few clubs interested in signing Mark.
“Talks are also going on with those teams as well as Aberdeen.
“As long as the player is happy with any deal put forward then a move to Aberdeen could happen.”
Kerr is available on a free transfer after rejecting a deal at Tannadice.
Calderwood will jet back from his Spanish holiday home later this week ahead of pre-season training on Monday.
But the Dons gaffer admits he fears losing out in the race to land Kerr.
He said: “It has been more than two weeks since we last heard from Mark or his agent.
“He is a player we were interested in signing but we were told he would probably go to England now.
“Mark could earn a lot more down there which is why he wants to try his luck in the Championship.”
Calderwood will step up his bid to reinforce his squad for the new season.
The Dons have secured Gary McDonald, Sammy Stewart and Bertrand Bossu with further recruits expected before the SPL kick-off on August 9.
Dutch defender Tim Bakens, of RKC Waalwijk, is on Calderwood’s radar.
“I will be in touch with Tim Bakens later this week,” said Calderwood.
“He is a player who has come on our radar although he is a right-sided player and we are looking for someone who could play on the left.
“However we have not ruled him out.”
Calderwood also expects a final answer from Alan Maybury over whether he’s going to accept the offer of a new Aberdeen contract.
The Republic of Ireland cap has options in England although it’s not clear where his future lies.
“I had hoped to have all the squad together when we came back to pre-season training but that will not be the case,” said Calderwood.
Readers' Comments
I think Mark Kerr would be an excellent signing for the dons, fingers crossed we manage to pull it off, although the same old feeling creeps in that he will head down south! Bakens seems a good bet also, so lets sign them up.Gow would be another great signing if the reports are true.Stand Free
Andrew Mitchell
Report this comment
Call me cynical but this sounds like his agent trying to keep his client in the headlines and generate some interest down from down South. Also - I'm tired of this Maybury saga. Bin him.
Davy Brown
Report this comment
agree with Davy,Maybury has had long enough to decide, if he wanted to be at the Dons that much he would have signed, instead he is holding out for a better offer, I'm sorry Calderwood but you have to learn to show no mercy, set a deadline and stick to it, if you get no joy move on because sadly 9/10 the player will go where the money is and on that front we cant compete.
Steve Brockie
Report this comment
Mark Kerr would be a decent signing and, if we really want him, then go out and get him!! Please don't keep repeating the Maybury situation, he's had his chance - withdraw the offer and move on.
John (Cove)
Report this comment
Aberdeen should have gone for P Dixon, at only 25k. Whats Calderwood playing at. He is rummaging around at the bottom of the barrel and coming up with bruised apples. I mean Bossu, Soutar did no wrong last year. We should have had our signings, done and dusted at the New Year. Ready for the summer. At the moment our team will be worse than last year
Steven Thomson
Report this comment
Steven - Soutar had a nightmare last season. We will miss Barry Nich though for sure.
Davy Brown
Report this comment
To the management at pittodrie. You have been talking the talk for weeks now you have 6 days to walk the walk. Plus im fed up reading about your 3 signings. Macdonald yes the young irish guy and the French Goalkeeper !!!!!!!!! Plus what are you playing at with Maybury. Your looking like the fools of scottish football make the right move and bin him. Waiting for the 10 stars you promised or is Integrity not in your book.
mike fyfe
Report this comment
The Evening Express is happy to encourage discussion and debate on the topics featured within our newspaper and on our website.
However, we would urge people to respect the opinions of others even if they do not agree with them. We will not tolerate abusive comments of any type and such posts will be removed with the people responsible facing a ban from this website.
Only registered users can supply comments, and your registered name and location will automatically be appended to any comment that you upload.
We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using a false name or pseudonym.