Aberdeen must do all they can to convince Connor Barron to sign a new contract because he is the natural replacement for Ylber Ramadani.
The Dons opened talks with Barron in summer 2022 in a bid to get the Scotland under-21 international captain to sign a new deal.
There has been no resolution 18 months on and Barron’s contract expires at the end of this season.
That means the midfielder has been free to talk to any interested clubs since the winter transfer window opened on January 1.
Aberdeen boss Barry Robson and Pittodrie chief executive Alan Burrows both recently underlined the club’s desire to sign Barron on a new deal.
However the Dons have drifted into dangerous territory as one of the hottest talents to emerge from the youth academy is now free to agree a pre-contract with another club for the 2024-25 season.
If Barron was to leave then the Dons would get development compensation.
However it would be a drop in the ocean to his worth to the team long term if he signs – and future potential future transfer value.
Barron changed agent last month and teamed up with PLG who also represent Liverpool duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson.
Negotiations over a new deal on improved terms were put on ice at the end of 2023 until Barron changed his representative.
Talks have resumed.
Barron suffered a frustrating 2022-23 season due to injury and the momentum he built up in his breakout campaign stalled.
Now back to full fitness, he has showcased his talent and ability to influence a game this season – when he gets a start.
Aberdeen have yet to replace Ramadani since the Albanian international’s £1.1million transfer to Italian Serie A club Lecce last summer.
Ramadani was a near ever present in the Dons starting line-up and fundamental to securing a third-placed Premiership finish last term.
The midfielder has been such a hit at Lecce Italian giants Inter Milan are eyeing up a January transfer move for him.
Ramadani brought a controlled aggression, drive and passing vision to midfield alongside Graeme Shinnie that has not been replaced yet.
Except when Barron starts.
I would argue there is no need to buy a replacement for Ramadani – if Barron signs a new contract.
In the final game before the Premiership winter break, a 3-0 win at Ross County, Barron was the Dons’ star performer.
Operating in a defensive midfield partnership alongside captain Shinnie in a 4-2-3-1 Barron topped many of the stats.
Barron had the most final third entries with six and had the most touches of any Aberdeen player, with 76.
He also registered the highest amount of passes with 56 of which 45 were successful – an 84.6% pass accuracy.
Offensively Barron also delivered the Dons’ most crosses with six, with Jack MacKenzie second on four.
Defensively he registered the joint highest amount of tackles along with Shinnie and Jamie McGrath.
Aberdeen boss Robson insists he knows how to get the best out of Barron if he signs but accepts the midfielder needs regular starts.
However Barron has only started 11 Aberdeen’s 30 games in all competitions so far this season.
More than 18 months after negotiations on a new contract first opened, Barron’s Pittodrie future remains up in the air.
No repeat of Darvel disaster
I’m confident Aberdeen will not suffer a Scottish Cup upset against League Two bottom club Clyde on Friday.
Broadcasters clearly disagree as BBC Scotland have selected it for live coverage.
I was at the shocking 1-0 loss to Darvel last January when the Dons suffered the most shameful loss in the club’s 120-year history.
There was an ominous pre-match dread before that clash in Darvel that the stars might be aligned for a cup shock.
Aberdeen had been abysmal in losing 5-0 at Hearts just days before facing Darvel.
It was the fifth defeat in seven Premiership games since returning from the winter break.
There was a feeling that the wheels were coming off for the Dons leading up to the game against sixth tier Darvel.
Darvel were a team high on confidence after strong form in their own league and this was the biggest game in the club’s history.
Clyde will be fired up to cause a shock but Aberdeen should have more than enough to comfortably ease into the next round.
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