Aberdeen want a transfer fee for Bradford City's on-loan player Eoin Jess even though he will be entitled to a free transfer at the end of the season.

City manager Jim Jefferies, hoping to persuade Jess his future is at Valley Parade, is waiting to hear whether Aberdeen will agree to extend his stay until then.

But the Dons, who have just announced a £3.3m loss, want to cash in on their second highest paid player who does not feature in their long term plans following his outburst that the club lacked ambition.

City chairman Geoffrey Richmond said: "He is available on a Bosman at the end of the season and there's no possibility of us agreeing to any fee between now and then."

The 29-year-old openly criticised Aberdeen shortly before he joined City on a three month loan just after Christmas. And Pittodrie boss Ebbe Skovdahl today made it clear that Jess would not play for his side again even if he went back.

Jess' loan spell expires next Thursday, the Scottish transfer deadline day, and Aberdeen could sell him to another Scottish club if anyone made an offer.

Hibernian and Dundee United are reported to be interested, but whether they will sign him now or wait until the end of the season remains to be seen.

English Premiership club Charlton are also reported to be watching developments.

Jefferies said: "It would be nice if we could extend his loan until the end of the season, but we know Aberdeen have the right to recall him to give themselves a chance of selling him if they can find someone who is interested.

"They are looking for a transfer fee, but at this stage of his contract they will be lucky to get anything because he becomes a Bosman free transfer at the end of the season.

"Eoin wants to stay with us until the end of the season and if he does that Aberdeen will save on his wages. I think that is the ideal scenario for all parties.

"We would also like him to be with us next season if terms can be agreed."

Aberdeen have won twice as many games this season without Jess as Skovdahl has blooded youngsters.

Skovdahl said: "Some-thing has to be sorted out and a further loan with Bradford is a possibility.

"As far as the playing situation here is concerned, it's the same as when Eoin left. Time hasn't changed that.

"We've done quite well without him and it's now time to look ahead and carry on as we have been doing.

"The young players are doing well. They've play-ed a lot more games than I'd have expected at the start of the season."

City are not predicting a rash of deadline-day deals either in or out of Valley Parade.

Richmond said: "At this moment I'm not aware of anything that is likely to happen."