Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes is looking to strengthen his midfield and former Celtic man Youssouf Mulumbu is on his radar.

The 32-year-old has been a free agent since he left the Hoops at the end of last season after the club activated a release clause in his contract.

According to the Sun, Mulumbu, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Kilmarnock, has been mentioned by McInnes as a free transfer target to help solve some of his midfield problems.

McInnes has been having to play defenders Greg Leigh and Zak Vyner in midfield recently after an abundance of injuries has left him with a lack of options.

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Both Funso Ojo and Stephen Gleeson are injured, and Lewis Ferguson is currently suspended after he caught Hibernian midfielder Stevie Mallan late in the 1-1 draw at Pittodrie earlier this month.

Craig Bryson made his comeback yesterday during Aberdeen’s 4-0 loss to Celtic, but it still leaves few options for the Dons boss.

Mulumbu spent the first half of this season with Kilmarnock and made 12 appearances, however he hasn’t played in the Scottish Premiership since he represented Congo at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Aberdeen were reported to have had talks with Gary O’Neil, who is currently without a club after leaving Bolton in the summer but talks later broke down and is now unlikely to reach a deal with the ex- Norwich midfielder.