Calvin Ramsay's sale to Liverpool is "delicate" insists Aberdeen legend Willie Miller - but he insists Pittodrie chiefs are right to hold out for a bumper fee.
The 18-year-old is the top prospect in the Granite City with the Champions League finalists and the Dons locked in negotiations over a move.
Aberdeen's valuation of Ramsay appears to be rising by the day with a £10 million price tag placed on the full-back.
But Miller reckons that the club hierarchy must proceed with caution if they are to avoid scaring off Liverpool.
He reckons Dave Cormack and the Aberdeen board may have to accept they are operating in a different market to Rangers and Celtic when selling Ramsay.
Writing for The Press and Journal, Miller said: "The Dons are holding out for a deal which could potentially be worth up to £10 million.
"That would be an initial £5m payment and a further £5m in add-ons if the teen reaches milestones with the Anfield club.
"Aberdeen hold all the cards because Ramsay is contracted to the club until summer 2024. The Dons have every right to try to maximise the return.
"However, at the same time they have to be careful not to lose the deal.
"There have been deals in the past, Scott McKenna for instance, where it was lost.
"There will always be a ceiling for Scottish players with transfer fees and another ceiling with non-Rangers and Celtic players.
"Aberdeen have to try to push that ceiling as high as they possibly can – but they don’t want the fish to come off the hook.
"They don’t want the deal to fall flat by potentially over-pricing a player. It is delicate.
"I’m not party to these negotiations so I don’t know how they are progressing.
"I don’t know whether Aberdeen feel by holding out they will eventually get the deal they want.
"Ultimately everyone has to walk away from the deal feeling satisfied – the buying club, the selling club and Ramsay himself."
