Aberdeen are waiting on Ryan Christie to make a decision on his future as talks on a player-plus-cash transfer with Celtic for Jonny Hayes continue.
The Dons have given Hoops target Hayes permission to speak to the Glasgow club about a move to Parkhead.
Hayes, 29, has agreed terms with Celtic and is waiting for the green light to complete the formalities of his three-year deal as the Dons and the treble winners continue negotiations.
Whether Christie will be heading in the other direction, however, remains unclear.
The former Caley Thistle midfielder impressed during his loan spell at Pittodrie in the second half of the campaign and manager Derek McInnes is eager to bring back the player to the club permanently.
Celtic are willing to use Christie as a makeweight in the deal but the 22-year-old is mulling over whether to call time on his Hoops career and head north.
Christie had hoped to rejoin Brendan Rodgers’ squad for pre-season training and try to force his way into the Celtic manager’s plans before the transfer window closes on August 31 and if unsuccessful he was willing to consider moving on from Parkhead.
But Celtic’s move for Hayes, who scored in the Scottish Cup final against them a week ago, has given the Dons the chance to make their pitch for Christie and they are willing to be patient in their pursuit of the midfielder.
Celtic and Hayes are eager to conclude a deal quickly, with the Don set to join the Republic of Ireland squad next week for the World Cup qualifier against Austria a week tomorrow.
However, should Christie decide to stay at Parkhead Aberdeen are willing to accept a straight cash deal with the fee for the Republic of Ireland international in the region of £1.2million.
Meanwhile, the Dons will play two pre-season fixtures in July in preparation for their Europa League qualifying campaign.
Aberdeen travel to Perth to play St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Saturday, July 1, before playing Arbroath at Gayfield on Thursday, July 6.
The young Dons will also be in action at Turriff United (July 4), Clach (July 6), Brora (July 9) and Montrose (July 11).