Aberdeen FC manager Mark McGhee appears to have conceded defeat in the club’s attempts to sign Stuart Holden, Sky Sports reported Thursday. The 24-year old midfielder, now effectively a free agent, is said to be heading to the country of his birth to play in the Scottish Premier League. Aberdeen was seen as a likely destination partly because it is where Holden was born before moving to the U.S. at age 10.

Aberdeen could sign Mark Kerr, Lee Miller and Gary McDonald to new contracts as early as today, according to the Evening Express. Those signings would presumably tie up too much of the club’s budget to allow it to compete for Holden’s signature.

Though Sky reports Aberdeen’s exit as a fait accompli, McGhee’s quotes imply the club might be trying a negotiating tactic on for size. The Dons’ boss said they can’t compete with some of “the bigger clubs” bidding for Holden’s services. Though he didn’t mention Glasgow Rangers by name, Walter Smith’s side are said to be keen to sign Holden, though Rangers cannot sign any new players until a new ownership is in place.