Southampton dealt transfer blow as Aberdeen man reveals stance | OneFootball

Southampton's forward line has already been the subject of transfer speculation in the early stages of this January transfer window, as Russell Martin looks to continue his side's lengthy unbeaten run and promotion pursuit.

The Saints are third in the Championship as things stand - three points back from Ipswich Town in the second and final automatic promotion place.

It was revealed days before the opening of the window that the Saints had rekindled their interest in Aberdeen forward Bojan Miovski, who is well known to the club's Head of Recruitment Darren Mowbray, who was poached from the Pittodrie outfit as Southampton underwent a restructure following relegation from the Premier League.

The Daily Record initially reported on December 27th that Mowbray had "pleaded" for Southampton to pursue a deal for the man he brought to the Dons back in the summer of 2022 from MTK Budapest for an estimated combined fee of £625,000 alongside Ylber Ramadani.

However, the second tier outfit, who faced a potential battle with SPFL champions Celtic have been dealt a severe blow in their pursuit of the North Macedonian international.

The same publication stated on Thursday morning that the side who currently sit in eighth place in the Scottish top flight are wanting in excess of £5m for his services, as Bundesliga and Serie A clubs are also said to be circling.

And Miovski has also revealed his stance on the situation, which doesn't come as good news for Southampton supporters.

"I still have two and a half years of contract with Aberdeen and to be honest I feel great. Everything that is speculated and written about me is normal because when you show good form and score goals you are always watched by bigger clubs," the 24-year-old said.

"I have been in Aberdeen for a year and a half and I am very satisfied and I also hope that the people in Aberdeen are happy with me too. So far, I have scored 33 goals for the club." he continued.

Former Championship assistant makes "unbelievable" claim on Saints target

Aberdeen's current assistant manager Steve Agnew, who is well known to some fanbases in the Championship from spells on the coaching staff at Middlesbrough, Hull City, Sheffield Wednesday and West Bromwich Albion, has also revealed his verdict on the man who has been pivotal for Barry Robson's outfit over the past year and a half.

"Bojan has got unbelievable movement as a striker and is a clinical finisher. He scored 18 goals last season and has 15 this season." Agnew claimed.

"They are very hard to find – a striker that can score goals and has that movement. And obviously he is confident at the minute.

"He is in a good place and is playing a lot of football, including international football. I’m sure he will have his targets as to how many goals he will score this season and also to be part of a successful Aberdeen team.”

A blow for Southampton

There's no doubting that the man who has also recently featured against England in the UEFA European Championship Qualifiers would have been an astute signing for Martin, who will now have to look elsewhere on his shortlist.

It will come as a blow, particularly as there has been , as the 27-year-old enters the final months of his St Mary's contract.

If Adams is to depart, then attacking reinforcements will be a must for Southampton in the automatic promotion race to ease the goaslcoring burden on Adam Armstrong's shoulders, with the former Blackburn man recording 13 goals and nine assists to date.