Aberdeen hope to complete the signing of Irish midfielder Chris Forrester from Peterborough United next week.
The Dons have been tracking Forrester and Posh team-mate Jack Baldwin but reports in England claim the Dons have dropped their interest in former Hartlepool United defender Baldwin after stepping up their interest in Forrester.
Forrester is expected to complete his move when he returns from holiday next week.
The 25-year-old is a former Republic of Ireland under-21 international and played alongside former former Dons Joe Shaughnessy and Anthony O’Connor, whose contract with the club expired yesterday, at youth international level.
The attacking midfielder, who started his career as a winger, is viewed as a replacement for Kenny McLean, whose three-and-a-half years at Pittodrie have come to an end following his move to Norwich.
The Canaries signed McLean in January but allowed him to finish the campaign on loan at Pittodrie.
Strengthening the midfield has become the priority for Derek McInnes following the loss of McLean, O’Connor while Dominic Ball, Ryan Christie and Greg Stewart have all returned to their parent clubs following their loans at Pittodrie.
Forrester was one of 13 players placed on the transfer list by Peterborough manager Steve Evans last month but the United boss fears the decision to let him leave could come back to haunt him.
He said: “I’ve managed teams for over 900 times in my career and I cannot think of one player who has gone on to haunt me after I’ve let him go.
“I’ve sold players who have gone on to do well at higher levels but I’ve never regretted putting anyone on the transfer list.
“Chris could be the first. I had to think long and hard before making him available but I feel it’s the right decision.”
The midfielder, who has spent the last three years with Posh, has European experience from his time in Ireland, having played for Bohemians against Olimpija Ljubjana in the Europa League in 2011.
He also played in five of St Patrick’s Athletic’s six Europa League matches in 2012 against Iprottabandalag Vestmanneyja, Siroki Brijeg and Hannover 96.