Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is resigned to having to wait until the summer to bring Matty Kennedy to Pittodrie.
The St Johnstone winger agreed a pre-contract with the Dons last week to move to Aberdeen in the summer but McInnes has been keen to conclude a deal to bring Kennedy to the club before the window closes next Friday.
Striker Curtis Main has been reportedly offered in a player-exchange deal but with Saints holding out for a fee the Dons boss is prepared to wait to get his man.
He said: “We’ve made an attempt to get Matty and it’s not been successful. I think we probably just need to move on from it.”
While Kennedy’s arrival is looking increasingly likely to happen in the summer McInnes was pleased to finally conclude a deal for Ross County’s 18 year-old midfielder Mark Gallagher yesterday.
Gallagher has joined the Dons on a two-and-a-half year deal and while the Dons boss has high hopes for the prospect he is reluctant to put too much pressure on the new arrival.
He said: “I need to stress that he’s for the development squad. He’s a boy I watched play against our team and thought he was outstanding in the game.
“My staff and scouts have watched him, we knew he was out of contract at Ross County. They’ve been good to deal with. The boy was interested and keen to come so thankfully we’ve managed to get him here.
“I think it’s important that we keep abreast of good youngsters that are playing for other clubs’ development teams. It’s not always easy to get them, and there’s always challenges, but thankfully we’ve managed to find a way with Ross County’s help for Mark to come here.”
Following Saturday’s 1-0 Scottish Cup win against Dumbarton on Saturday the Dons return to league duty tonight looking to move above Motherwell into third place in the Premiership when the Steelmen visit Pittodrie.
The Dons produced one of their best displays of the season to win 3-0 at Fir Park when the sides last met and McInnes has been impressed by the resilience and consistency of Stephen Robinson’s side.
He said: “It’s ironic that was one of our best performances of the season because we had no recognised midfielders available that day apart from young Dean Campbell.
“We thought that would be a tough game and such has been the form of Motherwell lately then we know this will be every bit as difficult.
“I do think that both teams would be disappointed to lose this one and both will be going all out to get the three points.
“You would have to say that the turn of the year is when you get a clear of idea of where teams are going to end up.
“Give or take a position or two that’s usually the case and ourselves and Motherwell have shown the best consistency.”
Lewis Ferguson returns from suspension for tonight’s match but James Wilson is set to miss out due to a knee injury.