Aberdeen are moving quickly in the summer transfer window, with the Dons understood to be in active negotiations with Kilmarnock over a potential triple swoop that could reshape their squad ahead of the new Scottish Premiership campaign.

Lyons and Mayo the Priority Targets

According to the Daily Record, Aberdeen are in pole position to secure the signatures of Kilmarnock midfielder Brad Lyons and centre-half Lewis Mayo. The Dons are also still in the frame to land fellow Kilmarnock midfielder David Watson, making the Ayrshire club something of a hunting ground for Aberdeen's recruitment team this window.

Should all three deals go through, it would represent a significant statement of intent from Pittodrie, bolstering both the engine room and defensive spine ahead of what Aberdeen will hope is another serious push in the top flight.

Shinnie Saga Rumbles On

The club's own captain, however, remains an uncertainty. Graeme Shinnie, 34, is reportedly in advanced talks with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, with the veteran midfielder understood to have been offered a new two-year deal by the Dons — one that includes coaching experience as part of the package. The noises out of Pittodrie suggest Aberdeen have gone to considerable lengths to keep Shinnie involved in the long term, but it appears the player is holding out for improved terms. Whether a resolution is reached in Aberdeen's favour or whether Shinnie heads to the Highlands remains to be seen.

Askou Situation Adds to Scottish Football Uncertainty

Aberdeen are not the only club navigating a degree of summer turbulence. At Motherwell, the future of manager Jens Berthel Askou continues to hang in the air. One source, reporter Sacha Tavolieri, has claimed that Motherwell and French club Toulouse have reached a financial agreement over the Danish head coach. However, journalist Graeme McGarry has pushed back on that, describing such reports as premature. The contrasting briefings suggest the situation is far from a done deal, and Motherwell supporters will be watching developments closely.

Separately, Motherwell centre-half Liam Gordon — out of contract at 30 — is said to be keen to agree a new deal regardless of how the Askou situation resolves itself, per The Scotsman.

Elsewhere in Scottish Football

Rangers will not trigger their £9m option to sign Denmark winger Andreas Skov Olsen permanently this summer, following the end of his loan from Wolfsburg. Meanwhile, teenage winger Findlay Curtis is attracting attention from Middlesbrough and Wrexham, as well as interest from Bologna and Udinese in Italy, after earning a call-up to Scotland's World Cup squad.

At Celtic, a decision on whether to extend Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's contract by a further year is expected to hinge on how the 32-year-old midfielder performs during pre-season, with the club keeping their options open for now.

For Aberdeen, though, the focus is firmly on getting their summer recruitment right — and landing three players from one rival club would be a swift and pointed way to start.

Frequently asked

Which Kilmarnock players are Aberdeen trying to sign?
Aberdeen are reportedly in pole position to sign midfielder Brad Lyons and centre-half Lewis Mayo from Kilmarnock, and are also in the running to land midfielder David Watson from the same club.
Is Graeme Shinnie leaving Aberdeen?
Shinnie's future is uncertain. The 34-year-old captain has reportedly been offered a new two-year deal by Aberdeen that includes coaching experience, but he is said to want improved terms. Inverness Caledonian Thistle are understood to be in advanced talks with him.
Is Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou joining Toulouse?
Reports are conflicting. One journalist has claimed a financial agreement has been reached between Motherwell and Toulouse, while another has described those reports as premature. Nothing has been officially confirmed.