Derek McInnes has convinced Dave Cormack to offer Jonny Hayes a two year deal at Pittodrie.
The Irishman left Aberdeen in 2017 for successful three year deal at Celtic where he was an invaluable squad member as the hoops dominated Scottish football.
Hayes enjoyed five years living in Aberdeen but has to balance up the prospect of one more big pay day from his career or take up the two year contract on the table at his old club.
Initially the message out of Pittodrie was that with losses of £1m a month during lockdown there would be no new contract offers but McInnes has convinced his chairman to make an exception for Hayes.
The Daily Record reports:
Aberdeen have made their move for Jonny Hayes and want to get him in for pre-season training this week.
The Dons have opened talks with the freed Celtic winger and Derek McInnes is looking to get a deal tied up quickly.
The Pittodrie side have offered Hayes the security of a two-year deal and are aware the 32-year-old is willing to take a hit from what he was on at Celtic.
Aberdeen’s board and chairman Dave Cormack, despite the club’s financial predicament, have sanctioned the move to bring the popular Irishman back to Pittodrie.
The Dons now hope they can agree terms over the next 24 to 48 hours that would allow Hayes to start training, with the Dons set to return to Cormack Park in small groups today.
Cormack wasn’t keen to sign players while he has staff on furlough but manager McInnes had made it clear that Hayes is his top target.
Dundee United, Preston and Blackpool have also been linked with Hayes who turns 33 next month. In the season just ended he made 26 first team appearances for Celtic, scoring one goal.
