Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is confident he has the resources available to assemble a Dons squad capable of eclipsing last season’s success.
The Reds have received a considerable injection of cash this summer with Jonny Hayes sold to Celtic in a £1.3million deal, while businessman Dave Cormack joined the Aberdeen board after investing a seven-figure sum in the club.
McInnes says the Dons still have to make every penny count in the transfer market as they attempt to rebuild the squad following the departure of several first-team players, including Niall McGinn, Ash Taylor, Peter Pawlett and Ryan Jack.
But the manager believes there is enough money in his budget to create a team capable of building on last term when the Dons reached two cup finals and finished second to Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.
He said: “I don’t think you can get everything you want. I am happy with what we have, there is a slight increase in the budget.
“We have got to try to utilise the money from selling Jonny Hayes as best we can. We have already started to do that.
“We got a bit of encouragement with Joe Lewis that he would like to commit to a longer deal.
“We drove it forward and I would like to thank the chairman for his help. I think it is really important we re-sign our good players here as well as try to bring in other players.
“I am happy with the energy and desire from everyone to make us the best we possibly can.”
The Dons, meanwhile, have been dealt a potential blow in their bid to sign Preston forward Stevie May.
The Deepdale club has rejected bids of £250,000 and £300,000 from the Dons for the Scotland international and is believed to be holding out for at least half of the £800,000 Preston paid Sheffield Wednesday for May two years ago.
But the deal has been placed in jeopardy after Preston manager Simon Grayson was yesterday granted permission to speak to Sunderland over their managerial vacancy.
Unlike Dons manager McInnes, Grayson is expected to accept the Sunderland job, meaning May could have to remain at Preston until the Deepdale club finds a replacement.
The Dons also remain keen on Stranraer’s 19-year-old midfielder Kyle Turner.
McInnes said: “He was in training with us last season. He is one we like and we loved his attitude and how he worked. He is someone we will monitor over the next few weeks to see what happens there.”