Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin has refused to rule out a summer transfer window swoop for Wigan Athletic’s Jamie McGrath.
Republic of Ireland international midfielder McGrath previously played under Goodwin at St Mirren.
Goodwin signed McGrath from League of Ireland Premier Division Dundalk in January 2020.
The 25-year-old had a superb season in 2020-21, netting 17 goals from midfield for the Buddies.
McGrath knocked back a bid from Aberdeen in January this year, under former Pittodrie boss Stephen Glass, in favour of a transfer to Wigan.
However, McGrath has made just three starts for the League One-winning Latics.
Goodwin says McGrath is a player who could ‘enhance’ the Aberdeen squad.
Although there is no movement on that front at the moment, Goodwin said ‘whether something happens later on in the window we will have to wait and see’.
Dundee United also target McGrath
Aberdeen face competition from Dundee United for McGrath.
New United manager Jack Ross has made the six times-capped Republic of Ireland international one of his top signing targets.
Ross came close to signing McGrath when he was at Hibernian with the move collapsing on deadline day last year as paperwork was not completed in time.
With McGrath facing an uncertain future at the recently-promoted Latics, the English Championship newcomers could be prepared to let the player leave on loan or a permanent basis.
Goodwin said: “I have a lot of time for Jamie and we still keep in touch from time to time with the odd message.
“I brought Jamie from Ireland to St Mirren and helped him get his international caps.
“Off the back of that he earned himself a decent move down south, which, and I don’t think he will disagree, probably hasn’t worked out the way he would have liked it to.
“He didn’t feature a great deal in Wigan’s promotion push last season.
“Jamie has a good long-term contract with Wigan.
“He is a player I know and I know would enhance the squad.
“There is nothing happening at the moment with that one.
“Whether something happens later on in the window, we will have to wait and see.”
“But right now he is very much a Wigan player. I don’t even think they have started back for pre-season.”
Conversation