Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is ready to offer Niall McGinn a return to Pittodrie.
The Northern Ireland international ended his five-year spell with the Dons in the summer when he left Scottish football for a new challenge in South Korea with K League Classic club Gwangju.
However, the move to Asia has been a disappointing one with McGinn making just seven appearances for his club, three of which were from the bench.
Gwangju’s poor campaign has ended with the club being relegated to the second tier, the K League Challenge.
Hearts are tracking McGinn but Dons manager Derek McInnes is interested in bringing the winger back to Pittodrie when the transfer window opens in January.
The Aberdeen manager said: “We were always aware that Niall’s league finished up in November and I have kept in touch with him.
“Whether it’s a possibility remains to be seen but he’s a good player, someone who was very good for us in the past.
“I don’t think it has been the most enjoyable stint for him over there so far, but if we got any encouragement that he could be available for loan in January then it’s something we would look at.
“If he has the enthusiasm to do it and it could happen then it’s something we would enjoy and I’m sure our supporters would love it too.”
McInnes and McGinn remain in touch despite the player moving on from the club in the summer and the Aberdeen manager needs no reminding of the qualities of the 30-year-old, who was a regular scorer and creator during his Dons career.
The Aberdeen boss said: “We enjoyed working with Niall, he is very well thought of here and rightly so because of his high level of performances.
“I speak to Niall often, we text back and forth regularly and he still speaks to the lads all the time.
“We have had to try to work with different types of wide players because you can’t always get like-for-like.
“Niall was a different type to what we have now so someone with his experience and ability would always be attractive, especially having worked with him before.”
