Jamie McGrath could be about to receive a very lucrative contract offer according to the BBC Scotland's Andy Burke.
St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin said in a press conference on Thursday that "we've made an incredible offer to Jamie" for him to stay on.
McGrath's contract finishes at the end of the 2021/2022 season, and currently he's making £650 a week at Paisley. Defender Danny Finlayson tops club earners at £1,400.
Burke reports that St Mirren are willing to make McGrath the highest-paid player in the club's history to extend his contract.
"We've made Jamie an offer that we've never made a player in the history of the club, but we're not stupid," boss Goodwin said.
"We know he's going to have numerous other offers and no doubt somebody else will come in and blow us out of the water, but we want Jamie to know exactly what we think of him."
St Mirren have knocked back bids for Jamie McGrath and Conor McCarthy.
Jim Goodwin says St Mirren ‘won’t be shafted by anybody.’
Getting McGrath - who scored 17 goals from midfield last season - for under £1 million is a steal for most clubs.
pic.twitter.com/GYCR1YBBfs— Ben Banks (@BenBanks01) July 23, 2021
It's high praise for St Mirren's Player of the Season last year, whose 17 goals tallied caught the eye of Stephen Kenny and the Republic of Ireland backroom team.
McGrath In Demand
There were reports St Mirren rejected a £300,000 bid from Wigan Athletic for McGrath, with the manager defiant to only accept his valuation.
Middlesborough and Peterborough were other possible suitors according to the BBC. "We're doing all we can," Goodwin added.
"There was one or two things that fell through in the summer window ... I did stress to Jamie that it might be a blessing in disguise."
McGrath's backing from Waterford man Goodwin is evident. "I really do believe come January there'll be another six or seven really big clubs interested."
"Brilliant feeling going into that dressing room. Everyone is on a high.
"We're going in and trying our hardest. The coaches have been unbelievable with us on the pitch."
Jamie McGrath speaking to @AnnMarie_Keegan after tonight's 4-0 win. 🇮🇪#IRLQAT | #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/AioFh1LX9E— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) October 12, 2021
Internationally, McGrath has enjoyed runs in the Republic of Ireland setup of late, earning five caps so far under Stephen Kenny.
Two assists against Portugal and Qatar have summed up his playmaker role high up in midfield. "It takes a lot of courage as an international manager to look to clubs like ours," said Goodwin.
Goodwin earned a cap internationally for Ireland in 2002, coming on as a substitute in a 3-0 win away to Finland.
"Jamie deserves all the credit. I'm pretty sure he'd give thanks to all his team-mates here. He certainly gives all my lads great motivation and inspiration to try and achieve what he's done."
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