MOTHERWELL are inching closer to agreeing terms with three of their out-of-contract stars.

Fir Park bosses have been locked in negotiations with a chunk of first-team squad members over recent weeks, with manager Mark McGhee conceding earlier this month that he feared some of those offered fresh terms would turn them down.

It had emerged many of Well’s top players had been offered around 30% less than their current deals, which are due to expire at the end of the month.

Captain Keith Lasley, defenders Stephen McManus, Ben Hall and Stevie Hammell along with Scott McDonald, Craig Moore and Craig Samson are just a few of the names that Motherwell are hoping to tie down.

Negotiations are continuing and SportTimes can reveal that contracts are close to being completed on three players, while talks remain ongoing with others.

Well, who finished fifth in the Ladbrokes Premiership season, are understood to be keen to find out where they stand with those already at the club as soon as possible so potential new targets can be identified if needed.

McGhee’s team have already shown interest in Dunfermline striker Faissal El Bakhtaoui, who slammed in 30 goals in 40 appearances this season for the League One champions.

Motherwell are joined in their interest in the Pars hitman with Aberdeen and Hearts but, with forwards Wes Fletcher and David Clarkson confirmed to be leaving Fir Park, an opportunity for first-team football may help sway the Moroccan’s decision.

Meanwhile, it emerged yesterday that striker Clarkson has penned a one-year deal with St Mirren following a successful loan spell with the Buddies last season.

The 30-year-old went to Paisley after finding game time hard to come by at Motherwell, and Saints boss Alex Rae has snapped up the former Scotland internationalist ahead of next season's Championship promotion push.

“The gaffer is obviously looking to bring people in, unfortunately a few boys have left and it’ll be a process of getting new guys in," said Clarkson.

"He wants to have a good start, get a good pre-season under us and we’ll go from there. I think we can take the positives from the way we finished last season into this season. We’ll have new boys in and it’ll be important for us to gel quickly and hopefully start the season like we finished last season.

“I felt last season went alright but there’s much more to come from me. Hopefully I can get a good pre-season, get the match sharpness and match fitness we all need and just hit the ground running.”