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ABERDEEN boss Derek McInnes is already gearing up for next season’s title tilt by placing Scotland striker Stevie May at the top of his summer wish list.

Record Sport understands McInnes has already opened talks with Sheffield Wednesday boss Stuart Gray about the possibility of landing the former St Johnstone striker on a season-long loan deal.

And, with the Championship club’s ambitious new Thai owners set to bankroll a major summer rebuild, McInnes hopes the 22-year-old will opt to return to Scotland’s top flight rather than slip further down the reckoning at Hillsborough.

(Image: SNS Group)

A close source said: “Derek is already working on his plans for next season and what he needs to do to improve the team. He has opened dialogue with Sheffield Wednesday about a loan deal for Stevie May and the initial discussions have been positive.

“Obviously, a lot depends on what Sheffield Wednesday want to do for the new season but there’s a feeling it might suit all parties if Stevie was to go back to Scotland and get himself back into the limelight.”

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May moved to the English outfit in a deal worth around £800,000 last summer on a four-year contract but, despite getting off to a flying start, he has struggled to nail down a starting place in a notoriously low-scoring attack.

And with big changes expected at the club during the close season manager Gray – whose own position is uncertain – sees sense in letting May fire his way back towards top form in Scotland’s top flight.

(Image: SNS Group)

McInnes is monitoring a number of options and is also likely to prioritise the capture of a new goal-keeper as he attempts to close the gap on Four-in-a-row champions Celtic.

But he believes a free scoring frontline of Adam Rooney and May could help fire his team even closer to the big one next season.

The Pittodrie manager, who has been offered a bumper new contract after leading the club to highest league finish in 21 years, is expected to firm up his preparations for next season later this week by releasing a number of players from his current squad.

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