Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes says the club has begun talks on a new deal with Rangers target Kenny McLean.
The Ibrox side had a £300,000 bid rejected in June for the former St Mirren player, who has entered the final year of his contract and will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with another club in January.
Irish central defender Anthony O’Connor is also in the final 12 months of his deal and McInnes says the club are keen to agree extensions with both players.
He said: “We have spoken to Kenny and Anthony, who are out of contract as well as one or two of the younger ones.
“These things can take a bit longer but we are in discussions.
“I’m sure we will try to find a way to make both happen if possible.
“If we can’t then we will deal with it and move on.”
Ryan Jack, Niall McGinn, Peter Pawlett and Ash Taylor all left Pittodrie as free agents at the end of last season.
McInnes said: “Every one of them except Peter and Niall gave us every encouragement in January they still wanted to be here.
“If players tell you they don’t want to sign then that is different.
“I thought we did all we could.
“I don’t think we would have done anything differently.”
McInnes, meanwhile, admitted he was frustrated to see his side’s conquerors Apollon Limassol begin their Europa League group stage campaign against French side Lyon last night.
The Dons were beaten 3-2 on aggregate by the Cypriots.
He said: “I felt we should have beaten Limassol.
“Seeing them in the Europa League heightens the frustrations.
“But it shows me we are getting closer to realising that ambition of playing in the group stages.
“It would have made a difference if our team had been a bit more settled going into those games.
“Apollon Limassol have qualified for the group stages three times out of the last five.
“We have no divine right to beat these teams but I still felt we missed an opportunity.”
The Dons are likely to be without Gary Mackay-Steven for tomorrow’s meeting with Kilmarnock at Pittodrie.
The former Celtic player is a doubt for the match after injuring his ankle in training yesterday.
Midfielder Greg Tansey is also unlikely to feature due to a groin injury.