Aberdeen hope the chance to play European football will entice transfer target Jason Naismith to opt for a move to Pittodrie rather than England.
The Dons have not given up hope of convincing Naismith to stay in Scottish football after stepping up their interest in the Ross County right back.
Former St Mirren player Naismith is under contract with the Dingwall club until 2020 but wants to move on from County following their relegation from the Scottish Premiership last season and several clubs are interested in his services.
Peterborough United and Sunderland have tabled £200,000 bids for the defender while Burton Albion and Plymouth Argyle are also tracking the player but the Dons hope they can convince Naismith to reject the opportunity to move to England and instead move to Pittodrie.
The Press and Journal understands Aberdeen have offered a player-plus-cash deal for the 23-year-old in the hope of pipping Sunderland, who are managed by former St Mirren boss Jack Ross, and Posh.
Naismith played for Ross for two months at St Mirren Park before moving to Dingwall in January, 2017 and the new Black Cats manager is keen on a reunion at the Stadium of Light as he bids to lead Sunderland back to the English Championship following relegation.
However, Dons boss Derek McInnes hopes the chance to play in the Europa League and compete for honours in Scotland will convinced Naismith to stay in Scotland and move to Pittodrie.
The Staggies are resigned to losing their player, who was one of their leading lights in a disappointing campaign which ended in relegation in May, but chairman Roy MacGregor will not accept less than £250,000 for the former Scotland under-21 international.
The Dons hope they can convince the Staggies to sell, however, by offering a player plus money in exchange for Naismith. County had an agreement with the Dons to sign Greg Tansey at the end of his loan spell at Victoria Park last season but the move fell through following the Staggies’ relegation to the Scottish Championship.
County remain keen on the Englishman who has been told he does not have a future at Pittodrie despite having two years remaining on his contract.
Tansey is due to return to Pittodrie for pre-season training next week but the Dons hope the chance to play regularly in Dingwall following an injury-blighted campaign with the club and during his loan at Victoria Park, could convince the midfielder to return north.
