The Dons have already made tentative enquiries as to the Dutchman's availability and are expected to return with a formal approach this week.

The RKC Waalwijk defender has spurned the offer of a new contract in his homeland and has admitted that he would welcome a move to Scotland.

"Jimmy Calderwood called me to ask if I would be interested in a move to Aberdeen," Bakens said in the Press and Journal. Despite the delay in negotiations, Calderwood has assured Bakens that he remains a top priority.

"I haven't spoken to Tim since our first conversation but I will be in touch with him this week," he said.

"He is a player who came on our radar after we had spoken to some other targets. I told him it was very difficult to say how the talks were progressing, but if he feels he is second choice then that is not the case.

"He is similar in stature to Rob Jones, of Hibernian, but he is a right-sided player and we were looking for someone who could play on the left. However, we haven't ruled him out and I will talk to him again this week."