Dons' 'no' to Loko and Burgess

Patrice Loko says he is wanted by Dons

Aberdeen have admitted that they have shown an interest in Frenchman Patrice Loko but dropped their interest in Blackburn Rovers striker Ben Burgess.

But they have dismissed suggestions by Loko that they have offered him a contract.

Dons manager Ebbe Skovdahl is desperate to find a marksman after losing Arild Stavrum during the summer.

His side have failed to find the net in the first three Scottish Premier League matches of the season.

Skovdahl sent a scout to watch Burgess play in a friendly over the weekend.

But the Dane has decided that the 19-year-old, who was on loan to Australian side Northern Spirit, is not the answer to his problems.

An Aberdeen spokesman said: "We won't be making any move for the player.

Refusing to play

"Ebbe did have a look at him, but this is a player we certainly won't be following up.

"I think he has a shortlist of players, although I don't think he'll have anything written down.

Ben Burgess in action for Northern Spirit

"But there's a few strikers he'll be looking at over the coming weeks and hopefully something will materialise."

Loko is looking for a new club after refusing to play for Montepellier.

The 31-year-old, who has enjoyed a colourful career at Nantes, Paris Saint Germain and Montepellier before moving to Lyon on-loan last season, has also been linked with a move to Troyes.

Aberdeen's spokesman told the Scottish Premier League website: "We spoke to the player's agent about the player, but it was nothing more than that.

"The player said on his own website that the club had offered him a deal, but that is not the case.

"We are in desperate need of a striker.

"We have had scouts out looking all over the place, but as yet we have been drawing blanks."