St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin has been given permission to speak to Aberdeen about the vacant manager's job.
Dons chairman Dave Cormack identified Goodwin as the man he wanted to replace Stephen Glass, who was sacked after the club's Scottish Cup defeat to Motherwell.
If the deal goes ahead the Paisley club would be due around £250,000 in compensation.
Former Hibernian manager Jack Ross had also been linked with the jobs while ex-Celtic midfielder Paul Lambert stated an interest in the role.
St Mirren said in a statement: "This is an opportunity that Jim wishes to explore and the club has granted the manager permission to speak to Aberdeen regarding this position. We hope for a swift resolution to this matter."
Aberdeen added: "We will make a formal announcement when the process to secure a new manager is complete."
Former St Mirren captain Goodwin has been manager of the Buddies since 2019 and took them to two semi-finals last season. St Mirren sit sixth in the Scottish Premiership, two points above Aberdeen.
Barry Robson has been in caretaker charge of the Dons, who visit Motherwell on Saturday, while St Mirren are taking on Livingston in West Lothian.
'Aberdeen an attractive prospect'
St Mirren first-team coach Jamie Langfield admits he can understand why Jim Goodwin is considering a move to his former club.
Langfield spent 10 years at Aberdeen as a player, lifting the Scottish League Cup in season 2013-14.
"It is a big club in the Scottish game and I can understand why he's attracted to it," Langfield said.
"Like any manager or professional football player you want to develop and go and test yourself against the best.
"That's no disrespect to St Mirren because what we're got here is incredible and I'm very lucky to be part of it.
"Aberdeen is that next step maybe for the manager, if it happens.
"He'll get a shock at how big the club is when he gets up there."