Aberdeen's attempts to secure Coventry midfielder Michael O'Neill on a three-month loan deal have collapsed after a row over any future transfer fee. The Northern Ireland international was due to travel up to the Granite City last night to link up with former Highfield Road assistant boss Alex Miller.

But negotiations broke down when Coventry reportedly demanded a guaranteed fee in the region of £200,000 should the move become permanent - which the Dons were unwilling to provide.

Aberdeen manager Miller said: "We tried to get the player on loan but it hasn't worked out. We had hoped something could be done to get the deal agreed, but it just didn't happen."