Aberdeen’s new major shareholder Dave Cormack says Sunderland have not been granted permission to speak to Derek McInnes.
Cormack, a former chief executive at the club, said the Dons will only clear the way for the Black Cats if McInnes indicates he wants to leave.
However, so far, the former Scotland international has given no such message to bosses at the club and Cormack says he will speak to Chairman Stewart Milne on the matter in the coming days.
He added that McInnes remains “extremely happy” at Pittodrie and is focused on preparing the team for the season ahead.
Cormack’s statements come amid reports that the club could look for at least £1million in compensation if McInnes does decide to leave the club.
The Dons mananger could see his salary treble to around £900,000 a year if moves south to the English Championship and could have a serious transfer kitty if reports of the £30million sale of Jordan Pickford prove to be correct.
Tommy Wright, Alex Neil, Alan Archibald and Jack Ross have all been linked as possible replacements for McInnes at Pittodrie.
Dave Cormack: We haven’t given Sunderland permission to speak to McInnes and won’t until he asks
