Hands off Jonny Hayes, says Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes

Derek McInnes has warned clubs interested in signing Aberdeen's best players that they will need deep pockets.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes at training with Barry Robson. Picture: Craig Foy/SNS

Winger Jonny Hayes has been linked with a £500,000 move to Gary Caldwell’s Wigan Athletic but McInnes insists he has not received any enquiry for any key member of his squad, and nor would he welcome one.

The Dons manager firmly believes Hayes would be best served remaining at Pittodrie and is adamant the Premiership runners-up will be no pushovers in the transfer market if clubs come calling.

“There’s been no approaches at all, Jonny included,” he said. “We have a lot of good players that I’m sure clubs will look at but the majority are under contract for a period of time. Jonny is under contract for two years.

“We feel we are a good club ourselves, that we have a good stature at Aberdeen, and we are not just going to roll over. If anyone has an interest in our players, if they want to come and buy our players they will have to put up a significant amount of money. I know how happy Jonny is here and we can give Jonny a lot of what he is looking for in his career. We want to keep our good 
players.”

McInnes is eyeing “two or three” signings before the domestic season kicks off on 6 August and could hand a trial to Uganda midfielder Khalid Aucho, who was linked with Rangers, if visa complications can be resolved.