Aberdeen are ready to let Miles Storey leave Pittodrie this month but only after they have secured his replacement.
Despite having 18 months of his contract remaining, Storey is keen to end his stay with Aberdeen after failing to make an impact at Pittodrie.
That has alerted Scottish Premiership clubs Caley Thistle, Partick Thistle and Kilmarnock to the Englishman’s availability.
Storey’s preferred choice is to return to the Highlands with Inverness.
However, Storey will not be allowed to leave Pittodrie until the Dons have found a replacement.
Storey had a successful season-long loan at Caledonian Stadium from English League One side Swindon Town last year, finishing leading scorer with 13 goals from 37 appearances under previous manager John Hughes.
Caley Jags manager Foran was keen to stress no approach has been made for the Aberdeen player yesterday.
He said: “We have no interest in any player who is signed with another club. There has been no contact between ourselves, Miles or Aberdeen.”
But Storey will return to Caledonian Stadium if he can secure his release from the Dons.
Storey’s form persuaded Dons manager Derek McInnes to hand the Englishman a two-year deal in the summer but the 23-year-old has found his opportunities limited so far, with one goal in 11 appearances, only two of which have been starts.
Storey’s peripheral role at Pittodrie has led to him slipping behind Adam Rooney and Jayden Stockley for a forward role at the club, while opportunities to play behind an attacker have failed to materialise due to the form of Niall McGinn, Jonny Hayes and James Maddison.
The Dons hope to nexy week confirm Maddison’s loan from Norwich City has been extended until the end of the season.
The midfielder has returned to the Canaries after an impressive spell with Aberdeen but McInnes is confident Norwich manager Alex Neil will approve an extension.