Aberdeen have reportedly demanded £800,000 in compensation from Scottish Premiership rivals Rangers to part company with manager Derek McInnes.

The Gers have been strongly linked with the 46-year-old since sacking Pedro Caixinha in October, despite the best efforts of McInnes to play down speculation.

According to the Daily Mail, Rangers are finally about to approach the Dons to kick off negotiations, but they have been told to hand over a hefty sum before being given permission to talk to the ex-Bristol City boss.

Aberdeen are understood to have also asked for further compensation if assistant Tony Docherty heads to Ibrox, taking the sum to seven figures.

McInnes will only swap teams if given backing over staffing structures and proposed budgets, however, having built up a strong rapport with Dons fans during his near-five years at the club.