Bristol City transfer target Ross McCrorie refused to rule out a move to Nigel Pearson's side but insists he is "loving it" at Aberdeen.
Bristol Live confirmed on Monday that the two clubs are in advanced talks to bring the versatile 25-year-old to City in a deal that is worth up to £2million, although sources indicate that figure is at the upper end of the scale as negotiations continue.
Pearson and technical director Brian Tinnion have been eager to fend off competition from Championship rivals to bring McCrorie to Ashton Gate as they look to bolster their defensive ranks ahead of next season and get deals done swiftly.
McCrorie, who can operate as a defensive midfielder and at the back, still has three years left on his contract with the Scottish side, who sit third in the table behind inevitable champions Celtic and his former club Rangers.
The versatile utility man has been a key figure in Aberdeen's successful campaign, starting all but two of their league matches, and he wasn't prepared to get dragged into the ongoing speculation surrounding his future. Reported by Football Scotland, following a 2-0 victory over Rangers, McCrorie said on the City links: "I am just focusing on Aberdeen right now.
"I still have three years left on my contract at Aberdeen. I just signed a new one last year and days like Sunday are terrific. I really enjoyed it. I don't really take too much notice or interest in that.
"I think that if we are doing well at Aberdeen we have plenty of boys attracting interest and it just goes to show you how well we are doing this season.
When further pushed on the transfer developments, he added: "I am not talking about me leaving.
"I am an Aberdeen player and I am proud to be an Aberdeen player, it's days like today it is a real honour, especially when I got to captain the side, we have the man [Graeme] Shinnie back in a couple of days as well.
"When I look at this team, it is excellent, the best team I have had at Aberdeen and I am enjoying every minute, I am loving it here."
Aberdeen's interim manager Barry Robson remained very coy on the links following the win on Sunday, telling journalists: "You’ll know more than me. All I know is we had a good result today and Ross performed well."
McCrorie, who has had one season in England with a loan spell at Portsmouth, has featured at right-back for significant spells this season but can also operate as defensive midfielder, centre-back, and right wing-back.
He came through the ranks at Rangers, playing 55 times among a spate of loan deals including moves to Ayr and Dumbarton before signing for Aberdeen on a permanent deal. His arrival would address the squad balance issues that have left City short of options this season following lengthy injuries to Tomas Kalas, Kal Naismith and Rob Atkinson.
With Kalas increasingly likely to leave on a free transfer due to fitness issues, Pearson addressed City's shortcomings this season and what he needs to do to turn them into top six contenders next campaign. Following the victory over Rotherham on Saturday, he said: "I think we need a bit of balance in the squad.
"We know we have a lot of young players who are talented and have not just potential but have the tools to be successful at this level. What we probably need to add is probably one or two players with a bit more, not just experience, but the ability to perform consistently at a good level.
"We need to add and strengthen in the areas that we know that we need to address. Whether that be in the central defensive positions, whether that be in midfield positions, we just need to address the areas of the side that are currently in need of adding to and I think if we do it in a thoughtful way, I think the squad will be much better placed to be more successful next year."
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