Bakens confident of move to Dons

Jimmy resumes defender talks

By Sean Wallace

Published:

ON THE MOVE: Dutch defender Tim Bakens, left.

MOVEMENT: Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood.

DUTCH defender Tim Bakens today claimed Aberdeen are set to offer him a deal.

The former RKC Waalwijk centre back’s agent is locked in talks with the Dons, and Bakens expects to be offered a deal within 48 hours.

However, Aberdeen could be dragged into a bidding war as the defender is also being tracked by a top flight Dutch side.

Bakens said: “My agent was set to meet with Aberdeen today and they will offer me a deal.

“As yet I do not know how long the deal will be for so I will just have to wait and see what Aberdeen offer.

“There is also a club in Holland who are willing to offer me a deal.

“It is between Aberdeen and the Dutch club although obviously it comes down to what deal Aberdeen offer me.”

The 25-year-old had previously revealed in the Evening Express he feared any move to Pittodrie was dead.

After initial talks Bakens was surprised the club had not contacted him for more than two weeks.

But Dons boss Jimmy Calderwood resumed talks at the weekend and looks set to swoop for the former De Graafschap stopper.

“The situation was not looking too good so it was great to hear back from Aberdeen,” he said.

“Jimmy Calderwood was back in contact with me on Sunday, so thankfully things have moved on a little.”

Calderwood is targeting a left-sided centre half, but Bakens could still fill the role despite being right-footed.

Aberdeen appear to be front-runners to land the Dutchman, who is keen on a fresh challenge abroad.

The defender, who is a free agent, turned down a move to Dutch First Division side Volendam last week.

“Playing in Scotland would be a great challenge and I feel I could do well there.

“At the moment I don’t know if I will be staying in Holland or moving to Aberdeen, it comes down to the deals I am offered.

“However, it was good to hear from Aberdeen again.”

Meanwhile, Calderwood has urged the Red Army not to panic over the lack of movement in the transfer market.

Aberdeen have secured just three players in the pre-season, Sammy Stewart, Bertrand Bossu and Stuart Duff, who re-signed on a two-year deal.

Calderwood, who wants to take Chelsea youngster Jack Cork on loan, insists they are working hard behind the scenes to identify and land new signing targets in time for the beginning of the new SPL season on August 9.

“We definitely need three, or maybe four, new players on board before the new season,” he said.

“If you look around outside the big clubs there is not a lot happening in the transfer market because players and agents were on holiday.

“There will be a lot more movement from Aberdeen regarding transfers over the next few weeks.”