Oxford United's directors are set to consider Aberdeen's reply to their tabled offer for midfielder Dean Windass at a board meeting today.

But United boss Malcolm Shotton warned that nothing is likely to be finalised, either with the 29-year-old Windass or others he is chasing, before next week.

Reports from Scotland suggest Oxford made an offer of "nearly £400,000" for the former Hull City player on whom Aberdeen splashed out £700,000 three years ago.

The Dons want £500,000 for him and whether Windass moves to the Manor may come down to whether the Scottish Premier League club are prepared to accept payments spread over a longer term than is customary with English transfers.

Shotton admitted: "There is no way we could pay £500,000 so it would have to be done over a long time.

"Our financial position is not great, as people know, we can't just go and splash out. So whether we are able to bring players in on fees will depend on whether clubs accept our terms and conditions because that's the only way we can do it.

"If this happens it will happen next week but it could just as easily be another player who comes in.

"I'm not happy to bring in just the two I've got already and we are in talks with quite a few people and working hard to strengthen our squad."

Aberdeen confirmed United's bid for Windass, as reported in later editions of yesterdsay's Sportsmail. Dons chairman Stewart Milne said: "We are still in discussions with Oxford United. We have replied to the offer from Oxford and are now awaiting a reply from them."

That reply is understood to contain the details of how payments could be spread.

Windass, who can play in midfield or as a striker, has hit nearly 80 league goals in England and Scotland.

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