Aberdeen are reportedly looking to take defender Zak Vyner on loan from Bristol City in what could be a sign that the Scottish club are preparing for the departure of Scott McKenna.
QPR want Scotland international McKenna, as do Nottingham Forest, and both clubs have had bids rejected by Aberdeen.
Stoke City are also reported to be interested in the 22-year-old, who has been outstanding for the Dons.
McKenna has handed in a transfer request in an attempt to force a move south of the border ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline.
The request has been rejected, but Aberdeen’s apparent interest in Vyner suggests the club could be paving the way for their star man to go.
Sky Sports News say Aberdeen are looking to take Vyner on a season-long deal.
Nevertheless, the club will not want to sell McKenna cheaply, with manager Derek McInnes recently insisting that QPR needed to cough up more money in order to land him.
The R’s had a £3m bid turned down and were also knocked back after submitting a revised offer.
“There was a fresh offer. I don’t know if there was a written offer from Nottingham Forest but there certainly was from QPR on Friday – but clearly it was not enough,” McInnes told the Daily Record last week.
“It was a slight increase and it was structured in a certain way but it was not enough for the club to accept.
“It’s up to the buying club to make my chairman think differently but as it stands Scott will remain with us.”