Wednesday 4 May 2016 14:36, UK
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is keen to get his dealings in the summer transfer market settled early as he gears up for another Europa League campaign.
The Dons fell at the third qualifying-round stage last summer and McInnes is keen to get any transfer business out of the way before the first qualifying round begins on June 30.
The players will return to training in the middle of June and McInnes told the Press & Journal: "We have always tried to do things early and get ahead of the game, I want to make sure we are not scrambling about trying to get people in before the deadline.
"I would want the squad to be more or less as we want it before the first European game takes place. The fact we have a lot of stability at the club and a lot of players (currently 14) under contract helps.
"We need to make some good decisions on our recruitment and it is important that we don't rush that. If we think they are the right player then we will try to get the business done as early as we can.
"If one or two have to be dragged out in order to get the right people to the club then that is also something we may have to do as we are building a squad for the season, not just the early European games."
With Scott Brown and on-loan Rotherham United goalkeeper Adam Collin both free agents this summer, McInnes has also been linked with a move for Hamilton goalkeeper Michael McGovern.
Liverpool's Danny Ward, who made a fine impression in keeping 12 clean sheets in 29 appearances during his six-month loan spell, has been linked with a move to Huddersfield next season.
