Aberdeen move to front of queue for Kris Boyd

ABERDEEN appear to have moved into pole position in the race for Kris Boyd’s signature as the striker approaches decision time over his future.

Kris Boyd is a free agent but is weighing up a number of offers. Picture: SNS

A return to Rangers was understood to be the out of contract striker’s preferred option for the new season but there has been no contact from the Ibrox club so far.

The 30-year-old has held talks with both Aberdeen and Dundee United, who are keen for him to strengthen their respective attacks in the Premiership, while Kilmarnock have made him an offer to extend his stay at Rugby Park.

Boyd is also attracting interest from clubs in England, while ambitious French second tier outfit Nimes have publicly declared their desire to recruit him for a promotion bid.

But it is believed Aberdeen’s financial package is currently the most lucrative on offer to the man whose 22 goals for Kilmarnock last season kept the Ayrshire club in the Premiership and earned him a Player of the Year nomination from PFA Scotland.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes yesterday confirmed his dialogue with Boyd in which he attempted to convince the Scotland international the next stage of his career would be best served by a move to Pittodrie.

“I managed to meet and talk with Kris and also talked to his agent,” said McInnes. “We have had a discussion and said we would like to bring another forward into the club. We have made a pitch of what Aberdeen can be as a club for Kris.

“He has a few other options and wants some time to consider them.”

Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara also remains hopeful he has made a persuasive case to Boyd, believing the experienced front man would thrive as the focal point of a largely youthful Tannadice side.

Boyd is currently on holiday and has told interested clubs he will give them an answer on his return.

“There’s been interest from the two of them [Aberdeen and Dundee United] but there’s been interest from numerous clubs,” he said recently.

“I’m going on holiday and I’m going to take my time over what I’m doing and make a decision from there. It’s a big decision for me.

“I’m coming to what I believe are the best years of my career and I want to give myself every chance to perform at a level where I know I can score goals but also get myself back in the Scotland set-up.”

Boyd has not played for Scotland since winning his 18th cap against Leichtenstein at Hampden almost four years ago. He was handed a brief recall by Gordon Strachan, who managed him at Middlesbrough, for the friendly in Norway last November where he was an unused substitute. He has not been included in a squad by Strachan since.