Aberdeen have opened contract talks with Connor Barron in a bid to secure the teen midfielder on an extended deal.
Manager Jim Goodwin confirmed negotiations are ongoing with the 19-year-old who is contracted to summer 2024.
He hopes the club can agree terms on a long-term deal with the teen soon.
Goodwin wants to tie up the Scotland U21 cap on an extended contract to maximise any return if the club opt to sell in the future.
He also aims to reward Barron with an improved financial package after the teen impressed in the second half of last season.
Premiership champions Celtic reportedly sent a scout to Scotland U21’s away clash in Belgium earlier this month to watch Barron in action.
Barron’s impressive shift in the 0-0 Euro U21 qualifier draw also alerted clubs in Belgium, including Genk.
English Premier League side Brentford are also reportedly tracking the Dons midfielder.
Goodwin said: “Negotiations are ongoing with Connor.
“I think he deserves to be rewarded after what he did in the second half of the season for us.
“He deserves an improved contract.
“With that it works both ways.
“Connor gets rewarded and receives a better financial package.
“Added to that we secure our asset and put ourselves in a better position if and when the time comes for us to sell Connor.
“We want to try to agree terms with Connor as soon as we can.”
Aberdeen in no rush to sell Barron
Barron is the latest teen graduate of the club’s Youth Academy to make a major impact in the Dons first team.
Aberdeen recently sold 18-year-old right-back Calvin Ramsay to Euro giants Liverpool in a deal that could be worth up to £8 million.
The Anfield club agreed an initial fee of £4.5m for the right-back who signed on a five-year contract.
A promising mix of experience for his age and significant scope for more improvement 💪
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 19, 2022
Liverpool also agreed up to £3.5 million in add-ons should Ramsay hit certain appearance-related milestones.
The Dons have secured a 20% sell-on clause for the Scottish Football Writers’ Young Player of the Year.
It is a club record fee received for Aberdeen and also made Ramsay the most expensive Scottish teenage footballer ever.
That record was previously held by Ryan Gauld following a £3m move from Dundee United to Sporting Lisbon in 2014.
Despite the interest of Celtic, Brentford and Genk, the Dons are in no rush to sell Barron.
Goodwin views the Scotland U21 international as a key part of his squad.
Rapid rise of midfielder Barron
It has been a quick ascent for Barron who only made his Dons debut as a late substitute in January this year.
His first start came in the 1-1 draw with St Johnstone on February 15 under then interim boss Barry Robson.
On his arrival at Pittodrie new manager Goodwin kept the teen in the starting line-up for his first game in charge.
Barron has been a regular starter and vital component of the team under Goodwin ever since.
Barron was recalled from a scheduled season-long loan spell at eventual League Two champions Kelty Hearts in January.
Within days of returning to Pittodrie he penned a contract extension until summer 2024.
Now Goodwin aims to get him to sign a longer contract.
He said: “There will always be interest in good players.
“The players we are looking at are good players and they have other clubs interested.
“Connor and Calvin both caught the eye last season so there was no surprise when we saw that (interest) happening.”
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