Motherwell have rejected Aberdeen's swap bid for defender Steven Hammell.
Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood has failed to persuade Motherwell to part with the highly sought after Steven Hammell.
The Dons had been keen on a swap deal for Hammell and offered striker John Stewart and winger Scott Muirhead in part-exchange for the former Scotland Under-21 international.
Calderwood's opposite number, Terry Butcher, has rejected that proposal, however, and the Pittodrie boss revealed that the SPL club may now pursue a pre-contract arrangement with Hammell, whose contract has just six months left to run.
"Hammell is a very good player," confirmed Calderwood. "We have been in contact with Motherwell and a swap was possible.
"But from talking to Terry Butcher, I know he doesn't want to lose him - period. So anything we do will be for the long term."
Calderwood is aware that he may now miss out on his number one target should a club from south of the border - Queens Park Rangers have held a long-standing interest in Hammell - table a significant cash bid.
"If English clubs were to move in for Hammell now we are not in a position to make a cash offer," conceded Calderwood.
