New owner Mark Ogren was not the original interested party from America when the Dundee United board first entered into negotiations to sell the club.
When the man who sold his shares to the Minnesota millionaire last March, Mike Martin, became Tangerines chairman he revealed negotiations with an US-based consortium were ongoing.
The Tele understands, however, by late summer that deal was dead and it was from then talks with Ogren and his son Scott were stepped up.
The failure to get the original deal over the line was why former owner Stephen Thompson initially agreed to sell his majority shareholding to local businessman John Gibson.
That deal fell through at the 11th hour when Martin and fellow-director Jim Fyffe stepped in with an offer to Thompson and secured his shares so they could continue talks with Ogren and others.
And it was a case of everything working out in the end as a man with a reported worth of over $100 million finally took over the reins.
United have still to confirm whether or not the 56-year-old is jetting over in time to see Saturday’s game against Dunfermline.
Even if he doesn’t make kick-off for that, it does look likely he will be at Tannadice sometime in the next week.
It also understood the club are ready to announce the appointment of the managing director who will be Ogren’s man on the ground in Scotland, though that news may be delayed until he is here. Likewise, confirmation that agent Tony Ahsgar is the new sporting director will be coming shortly.
He’s already been helping manager Robbie Neilson with his efforts to add to his squad in this transfer window.
Robbie, meanwhile, is set to be facing his close friend Stevie Crawford when the Pars come calling on Saturday.
Crawford has been put in charge of team matters at East End Park followng the sacking of Allan Johnston. His No 2 is to be Greg Shields.
He worked with the United boss at both Hearts and MK Dons. He also continues to be linked as a future member of the Tannadice coaching staff.
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