Aberdeen are closing in on a deal to bring Leighton Clarkson back to Pittodrie from Liverpool next season.
The loan midfielder has had a sparkling debut season in Scottish football, scoring six goals and providing nine assists from a central midfield role, with seven of those assists coming since Barry Robson took charge at the end of January.
His free-kick opener in Wednesday’s 3-0 win against St Mirren helped the Dons clinch third place in the Premiership and with it a return to European football next season.
Should Celtic win the Scottish Cup next weekend, Aberdeen will have guaranteed – and lucrative – group stage football in Europe in the next campaign, in either the Europa League or Europa Conference League, and they are eager to have Clarkson on board.
Aberdeen target permanent return for Clarkson
Clarkson is entering into the final year of his contract with parent club Liverpool, and the Dons are keen to make his return to Pittodrie permanent.
However, if they cannot agree a permanent deal for the midfielder with the English Premier League outfit, they are also open to bringing Clarkson back on loan.
They hope – in this scenario – the chance to play regular European football will convince the Anfield club to send the 21-year-old north again.
Clarkson is unlikely to get game-time for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool first-team next season, and sides in the English Championship are also understood to be interested in securing him this summer, following his displays for Aberdeen.
It looks likely to leave the midfield maestro to make the final decision on his next move.
Dons boss believes Clarkson is a special talent
Dons boss Robson hailed Clarkson’s goal and input alongside his team-mates in Wednesday’s win against the Buddies.
The Aberdeen manager said: “He’s a talented boy and he has the quality to do that. He gives you the feeling when he puts the ball down that it is going to be a goal.
“He has that feeling about him.
LC 💫#StandFree | #cinchPrem pic.twitter.com/b4Df6NKmFH
— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) May 25, 2023
“He has been a big part of the team and with him, Ylber Ramadani and Graeme Shinnie on the pitch, and Ross McCrorie back, you saw the difference they made.
“We had real big players missing for trips to Rangers and Hearts and you can see the difference they made.”
Clarkson had a disappointing loan spell with hometown club Blackburn Rovers last season, but has spoken of how much he has enjoyed his time in Scottish football since joining Aberdeen in August.
His displays in the early part of the Premiership season led to interest from English Championship clubs West Bromwich Albion, Reading and Queens Park Rangers in January, but Clarkson made it clear he was happy with the Dons.
Clarkson seems keen on returning to Pittodrie next term – recording this video for the Aberdeen social media channels after Wednesday’s vital victory:
We are on our way to Europe 🤳 #StandFree | #cinchPrem pic.twitter.com/u9SZPzcgYw
— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) May 24, 2023
With the Aberdeen crowd celebrating in the background, hinting he would see them again, Clarkson said: “Thank you for your support this season. It’s been incredible.
“We’ll see you in Europe.”
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