Aberdeen boss Mark McGhee has ended his pursuit of Kevin Kyle.

The striker, 28, is out of contract with Kilmarnock and reportedly has offers from England and abroad.

Kyle held talks with McGhee at the end of the season about a switch to Pittodrie but the Dons boss admits they cannot match his wage demands.

He said: "We have given up on Kyle and are now looking elsewhere as the player is out of our reach.

"Jimmy Calderwood has left Kilmarnock due to budget restraints.

"Kyle was his player and he couldn't keep him. We are equally frustrated we cannot bring him here."

McGhee will now turn his attention to other targets as he bids to bolster his squad ahead of the new campaign.

He told the Press and Journal: "I am disappointed as we have put a lot of work into trying to bring him here as he was one player we felt would do well for us - but we move on."