Source: Team_Talk
New Dons boss eyeing new signings
Motherwell's out-of-contract midfielder Stephen Hughes is high on McGhee's list of targets.
But the new Dons boss admits he will face tough competition to persuade Hughes to follow him to Pittodrie.
McGhee said: "Stephen knows I would like to bring him to Aberdeen. Scott Leitch (McGhee's assistant) is meeting with Stephen in Glasgow this weekend where we will talk to him about it further.
"Apparently he has been offered a very attractive contract from Hearts so there is competition for people like Stephen Hughes."
And McGhee admits the Dons may struggle financially to offer Hughes as much as the other clubs who are chasing the signature of the former Rangers player.
"I hope the fact that I am here is a factor for Stephen," McGhee said. "But young players like Stephen Hughes, who have a young family, are entitled to try to provide for their family and therefore try to get the best deal possible.
"Working with me again won't be at the top of his list of reasons for choosing a club but if there comes a point where we are neck and neck with someone else then hopefully because it is me that will sway it."
However the new Aberdeen boss said he has no intentions of attempting to lure any more of his former playing staff from Fir Park to the Granite City.
He said: "I'm not going to go back there and start pillaging Motherwell. I have too much respect for what they are trying to do. Stephen Hughes is a different kettle of fish as he is out of contract and available.
"There are some great players at Motherwell who are going to go on and become even better. But at this moment in time they would be out of our price range."
McGhee admits he is not going to be given a huge amount of money to splash during the summer but is hopeful of bringing new faces to Pittodrie.
The former Wolves, Reading and Leicester boss also said he may have to wait until the January transfer window before he can afford to really compete in the market.
He said: "Any football manager would always want to spend more than he is given. If Real Madrid can pay £80 million for a player then there appears to be no real limit to what can be spent. But in terms of competing with the other SPL clubs the budget is a good budget.
"This is a club that can attract players. I know in recent years it has been difficult to do that but I think if the team can make it into the Europa League and maybe find a bit of money we can attract a couple of better players at Christmas."
Aberdeen's director of football Willie Miller said McGhee would be supported as he bids to bolster his new team.
Miller added: "I think we already have an exciting squad but we have to solidify that. Mark knows what he has to work with in terms of brining in new players.
"We have invested heavily in youth development in the last five years and we are beginning to see the fruits of that now. Mark is excited at working with the young talent but he also has some finance available to bring in new players as well."
