Wgan Athletic have opened the door for Aberdeen to sign captain Graeme Shinnie on a permanent basis.
The English Championship strugglers are prepared to sell the midfielder this summer as he prepares to go into the final year of his contract. Aberdeen have already had discussions with Wigan officials and have indicated they would be keen to keep Shinnie. Latics’ sources have confirmed that boss Shaun Maloney won’t stand in Shinnie’s way if he wants to return to Scotland, although the English side would be looking for a six figure fee.
Maloney is currently fighting to keep his team in the Championship and whatever league they end up in it will require a major rebuild. Wigan are looking to free up wages and to bring in money to give Maloney the tools he needs to regroup. If Wigan are relegated they are also likely to have to slash their spending. Aberdeen boss Barry Robson has already made Shinnie their captain even though he is only back on-loan. The 31-year-old has been a major driving force in Aberdeen’s return to third spot and the fight for a European return.
He is a key target in Aberdeen’s summer recruitment - regardless of who is manager - although Barry Robson is on track to get the job on a permanent basis. Shinnie returned to Aberdeen in January when Kolo Toure was manager and he has yet to play under Maloney. The Pittodrie favourite first had a four year spell at the club between 2015-19 before he moved to Derby County on freedom of contract in 2019.
He moved to Wigan Athletic last year. Shinnie is currently suspended after being controversially sent off at Ross County and then having his ban extended to four games on appeal. He is due to return for the final two games of the season.
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