Thursday 8 June 2017 13:28, UK
Cardiff City have withdrawn their offer for Aberdeen winger Jonny Hayes, Sky Sports News HQ understands.
The Championship club are understood to be frustrated by the lack of progress after tabling a bid of £750,000 rising to £1.2m for the Republic of Ireland international.
Their withdrawal clears the way for Celtic, who have are also known to have tabled a similar bid.
Cardiff tried to sign Hayes twice in January but both bids were rejected, and the player subsequently signed a new deal with Aberdeen until 2019.
Hayes made 43 appearances for Aberdeen last season as they finished runners-up in the Scottish Premiership, scoring 11 goals.
Celtic's offer could also see 22-year-old midfielder Ryan Christie go the other way to Pittodrie.
The 29-year-old began his career in Reading's academy but he never made a senior appearance for the Royals and signed for Leicester in 2007.
Hayes struggled for game time at the Foxes and spent time on loan at Northampton and Macclesfield before joining Inverness Caledonian Thistle on a free transfer in 2009.
After three years in the Highlands he moved East to Aberdeen, for whom he has made over 200 appearances and scored 30 goals.
