Robson has left MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps and is set to return to former club Middlesbrough to maintain his fitness.
The 34-year-old’s family is from Inverurie and Robson was seen at Pittodrie over the Christmas period.
But bewilderingly Craig Brown wishes to spend his January budget on a striker rather than an available Scotland international attacking midfielder - despite the Dons having to play centre-backs and strikers in midfield over the last two months.
Brown is instead putting his faith in the recently-injured collection of midfielders who struggled to cope with Inverness in last Saturday's 3-0 defeat.
He said: “Barry is an exceptional player but I don’t think I could justify signing another midfielder.
“We have plenty of provision there with Isaac Osbourne, Stephen Hughes and Rob Milsom back from injury. Ryan Jack is also back from his broken leg next month.”