Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Wright set for Dons exit as deal talks hit buffers
ATTACKER Scott Wright looks set to exit Aberdeen for England after contract talks stalled.
Dons boss Derek McInnes confirmed Wright, who had spell on loan at Dundee in 2018, has indicated he wants to look at options away from Pittodrie.
It is a bitter blow for the Dons who are desperate to retain one of their standout performers this season.
McInnes says the Dons did “all we can” in a bid to retain the 23-yearold on a new deal.
Youth academy graduate Wright is out of contract at the end of the season and will be free to leave for nothing in the summer.
Wright has therefore been free to talk to other interested clubs since the January transfer window opened.
McInnes said: “It looks as if Scott is looking at trying something different, maybe looking down south unfortunately.
“We are really keen for Scott to stay but he just wants to keep his options open at the minute.
“We have done all we can to try and get Scott to stay but we are now four months in and are not any further forward.
“Scott and his agent have indicated they want to look at options and are not in a position to commit.”
Wright missed most of last season having undergone cruciate ligament surgery in September 2019. He has been pivotal to McInnes’ plans this season but underwent double hernia surgery last month.
There is also a potential financial hit. Aberdeen sold youth academy graduate Scott McKenna to Nottingham Forrest earlier this season in a £3m deal that could rise to £5m with achievable add-ons.
Losing fellow youth academy product Wright, potentially for nothing, will be a tough blow.
Wright returned to action off the bench in the 0-0 draw with Dundee United last Saturday and is set to face Rangers on Sunday.
There was some positive news emerging from Pittodrie with full-back Greg Leigh, 26, signing on until the end of the season.
Leigh penned a short-term deal until this month in early October following his exit from Dutch second tier side NAC Breda.
Since arriving at Pittodrie, Leigh received a debut cap for Jamaica, playing twice.
He is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury but could face Livingston next Wednesday.
The loan deal for Leeds United’s England U/19 international striker Ryan Edmondson is set to expire.
McInnes insists he will address loans after the Rangers clash.
The loan deal for Bristol City striker Marley Watkins also expires this month, with the 30-year-old is currently back at his parent club recuperating from a hamstring injury.
Manager Dean Holden recently confirmed Watkins would not return from injury until late next month, after the transfer window has closed. McInnes has previously admitted he would be keen to work with Watkins again.
Meanwhile, winger Connor McLennan is a doubt for Sunday’s clash with Rangers.
Midfielder Ross McCrorie is unable to play due to the terms of his loan agreement from the Ibrox club. McCrorie will sign a three-year permanent contract for £350,000 at the end of the season.