Agent Alan Aguzarov admits Southampton have shown interest in Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Daler Kuzyayev.
Aguzarov says Bayern Munich were keen, while a summer move to St Mary's was close.
He told Sport-Express: "Watford made a direct offer, but this is the championship, they decided not to go there.
"The Premier League one was Southampton. Why didn't it work? There were nuances.
"Dahler was also shortlisted for Villarreal, Bayern Munich and Napoli."
Kuzyayev eventually signed a new two-year contract with Zenit.