CHERRIES striker Jayden Stockley could be a shock transfer target for ambitious Scottish Premiership outfit Aberdeen.

Stockley is understood to have caught the eye of Dons manager Derek McInnes during a fruitful loan spell with Exeter City this season.

The Grecians are also keen to sign permanently the 22-year-old and have reportedly already made the frontman two contract offers.

But the lure of top-flight football in Scotland and possibly playing in the Europa League could tip the balance in favour of Aberdeen.

Former Bristol City boss McInnes has drafted in a number of English players since taking charge at Pittodrie with Aberdeen guaranteed to finish as runners-up behind Celtic this season.

Poole-born Stockley impressed during his time at Exeter and netted 10 goals in 22 appearances for the Devonians, including scoring in their final two games of the season against League Two rivals Morecambe and Luton.

Grecians boss Paul Tisdale believes his club would be a good fit for Stockley. In an interview with the Express and Echo last week, he said: “Jayden has done particularly well and he is likely to have plenty of options available to him, but we would like to keep him.

“He has scored some important goals for us and added to our attacking options. We think he suits our style of play and our style of play suits him and, hopefully, he has enjoyed his time here and is keen to stay."

Stockley, who also served Portsmouth on loan this season, netting twice in 12 appearances between August and December, is out of contract at the end of June, although it has not been made public whether he is likely to be offered fresh terms by Cherries.

Should he leave, Cherries would be entitled to seek compensation if Stockley were to join another club in England.

Stockley, who was handed his senior debut by boss Eddie Howe at the age of 16, last featured for Cherries in Lee Bradbury’s final game as manager in March 2012.

He shot to prominence when he became the second youngest player to represent Cherries in the league, coming off the bench against Chesterfield in October 2009.

A product of the Cherries youth ranks, Stockley was an unused substitute for their League Two clash against Burton Albion just days after his 16th birthday in September 2009 when the club had to get permission from his school for him to be named on the bench.