Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin has admitted he really wants to sign Connor Ronan from Wolves this summer.
The midfielder is now back with Wanderers for pre-season, having spent the 2021/22 season on loan at St Mirren.
The 24-year-old enjoyed a tremendous spell in Paisley, making 30 appearances across all competitions.
He scored eight goals, with several of those spectacular efforts from outside the penalty area.
Ronan ended up winning St Mirren’s Player of the Season award, and since the season ended there has been speculation about him making a move back to Scotland.
St Mirren would love him back, and he also has interest from Hearts and Aberdeen.
Goodwin worked with Ronan at St Mirren before taking the Aberdeen job in February.
He is fully aware of his qualities, and the 40-year-old has stated he would like to reunite with Ronan.
Goodwin said (via Daily Record): “I have been linked with pretty much every player I worked with at St Mirren from February until now, and I’m not going to deny the fact I have a lot of admiration for Connor Ronan as a player and as a person.
“He is a terrifically talented player and won all of the Player of the Year awards at St Mirren last season.
“I sold St Mirren to him and told him I would get him in that Irish set up.
“I banged the drum for him although he got himself into the Ireland squad.
“Connor is a terrific player and has no end of admirers looking at him just now I would imagine. I’m not going to deny the fact that I would love to work with him again.”
Goodwin wants Connor Ronan reunion, but price tag could be prohibitive
It’s clear Goodwin rates Ronan very highly.
It remains to be seen if Aberdeen will be successful in their pursuit of the player.
But Football Scotland report £500,000 would be needed for a suitor to sign Ronan. It is understood that that would potentially be problematic for both Aberdeen and Hearts.
The idea of another loan move for the player is floated.
But Wolves would surely be looking to either keep him in their first-team, or capitalise on the season he has just had and make a permanent sale.