Tommy Wright has confirmed St Johnstone have kicked off talks with Aberdeen to try and seal a deal for Stevie May.
The Perth-born attacker has been told he can leave Pittodrie and Saints are desperate to land their former star.
May created history with his hometown team when he helped them win the Scottish Cup in 2014 before moving south to join Sheffield Wednesday in an £850,000 deal.
Spells at Preston and then a £300,000 switch to the Dons followed for the 26-year-old but he has struggled to hit the heights he reached at McDiarmid Park earlier in his career.
However, Saints manager Wright believes he can breathe new life back into May’s career and is hoping a deal can be done to land the in-demand forward, who is also attracting interest from Dundee United, Dundee and St Mirren.
Wright said: “When I heard the news that he was available I contacted the chairman and I think he’s already been on to Aberdeen to see what the situation is.
“Stevie will have the pick of his clubs but he’s someone I know well and someone who was at the club from an early age and is a local boy and has hero status.
“If anything can be done – and I know the chairman will work as hard as possible to make it happen – then it would be something that we would be thrilled to get over the line.”
May still has two years left on his Aberdeen deal so the financial package to make the move a reality will be expensive and tricky to negotiate.
Wright believes that all obstacles can be overcome, though, because the desire to make the deal happen is so strong from his point of view.
The Northern Irishman added: “I’d imagine finances will play a big part – it’s got to be right for three parties – Aberdeen, Stevie and the club he’s going to.
“From our point of view we have been quick to react. It shows the chairman’s intention in that he’s made contact so soon.
“We’ll now have to wait and see what transpires over the next few days.”
May suffered a serious knee injury in 2015, but Wright has no concerns about that or the striker’s recent lack of goals.
May has scored seven goals in 61 games for Aberdeen, but Wright feels that he can bring the best out of him if a deal can be concluded.
The manager confirmed: “Anytime I’ve seen him I haven’t spotted anything wrong with his fitness or movement – but maybe his confidence has taken a dent in front of goal.
“He’s been unlucky at times, but he’s still a quality player.”