Derek McInnes said Aberdeen have made an offer to Graeme Shinnie to make him one of the highest paid players at the club.

The Dons captain is out of contract next summer and McInnes is hopeful he can retain the services of the midfielder as his situation is said to be attracting interest from England.

The Aberdeen boss said discussions are ongoing and that the new deal on offer to Shinnie would put him "right at the very top" of the club's wage structure.

He said: "Graeme knows my views on it and really keen to work with him.

"I wouldn't swap him for anybody I've said that often enough how important he is to me.

"There is a feeling from everybody within the club that the offer to him is as good an offer as we can make and he'll be rightly so regarded right at the very top of the wage structure for us.

"We can only do all we can to keep him.

"We're working hard on that and we're hopeful that we can reach an agreement with Graeme but it needs all sides to agree to that so we'll see how it goes.

"We still have plenty time and Graeme has indicated that he's not against staying at the club.

"Hopefully we can have good news on that shortly."

Whilst McInnes aims to tie down Shinnie on a long-term contract, he is hoping to unleash new loan signing James Wilson against St Mirren on Saturday.

The 22-year old will spend the season with Aberdeen and the Dons boss is hopeful that he can enjoy a productive spell at Pittodrie.

He added: "Although he's a loan player, it's important that he feels wanted and plays with a smile on his face.

"The last couple of years have been a pretty miserable time for him with injury and not playing as much.

"So it is important for him to really enjoy the experience with us.

"He's had a little ankle knock and concern from the game he played on Friday night with Manchester United.

"So he's been doing his work with the physios but back in full training tomorrow and if he's fit and we expect him to be fit there's a good chance he'll definitely be involved in the game

"We were keen to get James, and once you've waited that long, there's no point in waiting any longer.

"We want to get him out on that pitch and hopefully he gets off to a winning start."

Aberdeen won the League Cup in 2014 and McInnes said his side are comfortable with the pressure of competing for trophies.

"I think a lot of clubs will go into the tournament hoping to win it and a lot of clubs will be putting themselves under pressure to win it.

"We've always said that we're happy to have that tag of being in demand in winning trophies."