DONS boss Mark McGhee hopes to add Manchester City winger Paul Marshall to his squad in January — but will wait for Motherwell playmaker Jim O'Brien.
Englishman Marshall impressed during a week's trial at Pittodrie and McGhee is hopes to snap up the player on loan or a free transfer from the chaotic cash-rich Premiership club.
The Dons gaffer also wants to sign O’Brien on a pre-contract agreement in order to get the player for free rather than pay an Motherwell's over-inflated valuation of him.
McGhee said: "We still hope to get Paul Marshall from Manchester City on either a loan or if he's freed but he looks like being the only one.
"If we want to take [O'Brien] in January they will require a small fee. Well, we won’t have a small fee to pay for him or anyone which is why I am lining things up for summer.
"If something happens quicker than that then great but I won't be holding my breath for that."
