Aberdeen transfer target Stuart Bannigan is unlikely to be heading to Pittodrie.
Dons manager Derek McInnes held talks with Partick Thistle midfielder Bannigan earlier this year but interest in the 23-year-old has cooled with Bannigan unlikely to be fit for the start of pre-season training because of a knee injury.
He instead looks set to join newly promoted Championship side Barnsley.
Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward, who spent the first half of last season on loan at Aberdeen, remains on course to join Huddersfield Town – despite the Championship club signing Joel Coleman moving to the Terriers from Oldham Athletic on a three-year deal.
The 20-year-old is likely to be back-up to Ward, who is expected to join Huddersfield on a season-long loan after his involvement with Wales at Euro 2016.
Aberdeen manager McInnes, meanwhile, has paid tribute to long-serving defender Andrew Considine for remaining a key player for the Dons since the arrival of Graeme Shinnie.
Many Dons supporters believed the arrival of left back Shinnie, the former Caley Thistle captain, last summer would limit Considine’s role in the team.
But the 29-year-old, who made his debut for the Dons in May 2004, made 40 appearances for the Dons last term, including 35 starts.
It was only the third time in Considine’s 13 seasons with the Dons that he has played 40 or more games in the same campaign.
McInnes said: “Andy did very well last season, he always finds a way to play in the team and he is a player I can trust.
“He is dependable and flexible as he can play in a couple of different positions.
“Wherever we ask him to play we always get a high level of performance so he is an important player for us.”
Spanish club Villarreal central defender Eric Bailly is set to be Jose Mourinho’s first signing as Manchester United manager.
Bailly is due to have a medical this week and terms are thought to have been agreed with the 22-year-old, who will cost the Red Devils about £30million.
