Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes would welcome an investigation by football authorities into his club’s failed attempts to sign Inverness midfielder Greg Tansey.
The Dons bid in excess of £200,000 for the Inverness midfielder, pictured, triggering what they believed was a release clause for the player. But despite lengthy negotiations Caley Jags would not sanction the sale, leaving Tansey and his agent furious and Aberdeen frustrated.
McInnes said: “There has to be some sort of guidance as to how these things can be resolved quickly.
“Greg’s agent told us about the clause weeks ago. We met the clause. I don’t actually know why he’s not here. I would actually welcome some sort of investigation because it’s unclear why he isn’t here and we feel he should be.”
McInnes insisted his club acted properly in its pursuit of Tansey. He said: “We’ve acted properly, professionally and with integrity throughout all of this.
“I spoke to Caley Thistle manager John Hughes this morning and he agreed with all of that. They have got no problem with Aberdeen.
“We tried to sign a player. It’s not easy for us to pay a fee of £200,000 and I’ve had to try to generate that in some ways, freeing up wages and putting some players out on loan.”
McInnes is disappointed the transfer did not materialise and is at a loss to explain why Aberdeen’s pursuit was unsuccessful.
He said: “You would need to ask Inverness why he is not here. We felt we did everything within our power to bring the player to Aberdeen.
“We worked hard to bring Greg here and we haven’t got him, which is a bit of a surprise.
“When it became clear after a meeting with the chairman last Thursday that we had put ourselves in a position where we could offer the money, I took the decision not to put a bid in on Friday afternoon, just out of respect for Inverness and John’s preparations for his own game on the Saturday.
“We decided to put our bid in on Saturday after their game. We didn’t get an immediate response, which was frustrating. I totally understand Inverness and then wanting to hang on to their player.
“I think it was clear they wanted to hang on to him, but we felt we triggered a clause by meeting the transfer fee indicated.
“We move on and there is nothing I can do about it, as disappointing as it was on Monday.”
McInnes was coy on whether the Dons will go back in for Tansey in the summer.
He said: “We just want to work with good players and we felt Greg could have brought something given the injuries we have to Willo Flood and Ryan Jack and we are a bit light in the midfield.
“As for the future, I don’t know yet.”