The Buddies have knocked back Aberdeen's initial enquiry to speak to their manager Jim Goodwin.
The Pittodrie club are on the hunt for a new boss after sacking Stephen Glass after just 11 months at the helm.
They have identified a number of suitable candidates, with current St Mirren gaffer Goodwin among them.
However, the Saints are understood to have knocked back the north-east club's initial advances.
The Paisley side are desperate to hang onto their club legend, who lifted the League Cup as a player and has since shone at the SMISA Stadium during his time in the dugout.
The Buddies have a Scottish Cup quarter-final with Hearts on the horizon, having just moved into the Premiership top six - a long term ambition of both him and the club.
Goodwin still has two years left to run on his current contract, which includes a substantial compensation release clause.
Speaking at a meeting with SMISA members just last week, Goodwin said: "As in all contracts there's a settlement figure if I'm sacked or another club wants me.
"But it's not something I've thought about. It's still early days in the project.
"As long as we can see year on year progress and we still see ambition among directors then I'm happy here.
"And as long as the fans are happy with me too then I won't give anything else a second thought."
