Rangers have been warned against making a move for Aberdeen first-teamer Kenny McLean, according to the Daily Record.
The newspaper claim that the Scottish giants have made their interest in signing the 25-year-old midfielder clear to Aberdeen, as manager Pedro Caixinha continues his overhaul of the first-team squad.
However, it is also reported that Aberdeen have no desire to sell another of their key players to their rivals this summer, and have told Rangers that McLean is unavailable for transfer.
McLean scored five goals and supplied five assists from 53 appearances in all competitions during the 2016-17 campaign, as Aberdeen finished nine points clear of Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.
But even though McLean has just one year left on his current deal at Pittodrie, manager Derek McInnes insists his future lies at his current club.
Rangers have already succeeded in snapping up Aberdeen midfielder Ryan Jack on a free transfer, after his contract expired at the end of last season.
Meanwhile, star winger Jonny Hayes has joined treble-winning Celtic, and both Niall McGinn and Ash Taylor have both been released by the club.
McInnes and Aberdeen have just a few of their star players from last season left at the club ahead of the new season, and McLean will therefore be barred from a summer exit.
Aberdeen’s only interest over the coming months is to add players to their squad ahead of their Europa League qualifying campaign, which begins in two weeks’ time.
The Daily Record claim that English Championship outfit Birmingham City are also interested in the midfielder.