Barron in talks to extend Dons deal

Aberdeen have opened contract talks with former Kelty Hearts loan star Connor Barron in a bid to secure the teen midfielder on an extended deal.

Manager Jim Goodwin confirmed negotiations are ongoing with the 19-yearold 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 the Scotland U21s 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 while 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.”

Barron, who also made 13 appearances for Brechin while on loan in 2020-21, 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.

Liverpool also agreed up to £3.5m 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 – beating Ryan Gauld’s £3m move from Dundee United to Sporting Lisbon in 2014.

Goodwin views the Scotland U21 international as a key part of his squad.

Barron was recalled from a season-long loan spell at eventual League Two champions Kelty Hearts in January. Within days of returning to Pittodrie he extended his contract until summer 2024.

Now Goodwin aims to get him to sign a longer deal. 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.”