Former Aberdeen and Caley Thistle captain Graeme Shinnie is set to move from Derby County to Wigan Athletic for just £30,000.
Aberdonian Shinnie’s contract with Championship bottom club Derby is set to expire at the end of the season.
It is understood he is set to move to League One Wigan with the fee reportedly just £30,000.
Rams manager Wayne Rooney, the England and Manchester United legend, said he wanted to keep Shinnie, who is a regular first team starter.
However that decision is out of Rooney’s hands.
Derby are rock bottom of the Championship having been deducted 21 points this season.
They were initially deducted 12 points in September for entering administration.
A further nine points were taken off in November.
Shinnie not in the match-day squad
Scotland international Shinnie was at Derby’s 2-0 defeat of Sheffield United on Saturday but was not in the match-day squad.
Former Pittodrie skipper Shinnie joined Derby on a free transfer in summer 2019.
The midfielder made 195 appearances for Aberdeen in all competitions.
He captained Caley Thistle to their 2015 Scottish Cup success before joining the Dons.
Shinnie has played 92 times for Derby and scored six goals.
He has been a regular starter in Rooney’s team this season having lined up in 21 of the 25 league games.
Rooney said he would ideally have retained Shinnie, but the decision was not in his control.
Administrators Quantuma sanctioned Shinnie’s exit having been placed in control of the club’s finances.
Rooney said: “My relationship with the players is built on trust and honesty.
“I can’t look them in the eye, and where we are at at the minute, and give them anything, really, only just prepare them and get them ready (for matches).
“Any decisions made like Shinnie, for instance, will be through the administrators.
“I want to keep all the players.
“I saw a report saying I told the players that they could leave, which is not the case.
“Maybe that has been misinterpreted.
“What I said to the players is if you want any information, if clubs are in (for you) there is nothing I can do.
“You have to go to the administrators, they are the ones who are making the decisions.”