Cardiff City will struggle to meet Aberdeen’s asking price for midfielder Jonny Hayes unless they can offload some of their biggest earners before the transfer window shuts.
The Dons have already rejected two bids of £500,000 for the 29-year-old and are braced for a third offer from the Championship club.
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has refused to disclose the figure the Pittodrie club would accept for his prized asset, but a £1million marker will be a struggle for Cardiff manager Neil Warnock as his club is hampered by huge debts.
Cardiff have around £100million of debt – most of it owed to Malaysian owner Vincent Tan – who has already converted £76million of the money Cardiff owes him into equity last year.
The Bluebirds, who have already released former Arsenal forward Marouane Chamakh and former Manchester United midfielder Kieran Richardson this month, are hoping to offload defender Bruno Manga, the club’s highest earner who is currently representing Gabon at the African Cup of Nations, before the January transfer window shuts.
And until they sell Manga or another of the club’s higher-earners, such as former England international forward Rickie Lambert who has failed to impress since making a £1.7million move from West Brom in the summer, Cardiff may be unable to meet Aberdeen’s demands.
Cardiff manager Neil Warnock remained tight-lipped about a third bid for Hayes yesterday, but remains keen to sign the 29-year-old.
He said: “I’m still interested in signing any player I’ve made enquiries about.
“It’ll depend on whether players leave the club about whether we get more in.
“I’d like to sign another attacking player. I’d like two, but I can’t see that happening.
“There are one or two things that have been interesting for me in the squad that we have so, you never know, we might not sign any. I don’t think I should talk any more. I spoke after the Aberdeen manager spoke so the least said about it the better.”
Aberdeen goalkeeper Joe Lewis, who joined the Dons from Cardiff City in the summer, is not surprised his former club is interested in the Republic of Ireland international.
He said: “I think everyone who has watched Aberdeen for the last few seasons can see why teams would be interested in Jonny.
“He’s a fantastic player. He’s got a contract here for another 18 months so we’re in the driving seat. If we don’t want to sell him, we don’t have to sell him.
“I’m sure there are plenty of teams who would love to have Jonny in their squad. We’re very fortunate we’ve had him for a few years and we’ve got him now. Hopefully we can get through the window and keep a hold of him.”