Dundee United are looking to tie up their promising youngsters on new long-term contracts, with sporting director Tony Asghar revealing that Scott Banks hasn’t been the only player targeted in this transfer window.
Scouts are regularly turning up at United games these days, with Crystal Palace among a number of clubs keen on winger Banks and other academy graduates.
The current crop are the most exciting to emerge for several years and Asghar wants to ensure they play their football in tangerine and black for a while longer.
“We are currently negotiating extended contracts for a number of young, talented players,” Asghar told Courier Sport.
“Scott Banks and others have been the subject of interest from other clubs and I would expect that to continue as Robbie continues to play them in the first team.
“We want to keep our talent and develop them. Then once the club and the player are ready that is when they move on to the next chapter in their career.
“If players or agents want the players to move or not sign contracts then that is a different story and I have to adapt our strategy. We only want players who want to, in the short term at least, pull on a United shirt.
“If we have players come through our academy, develop and stay for their whole career, then that is just as attractive to the club.”
Owner Mark Ogren’s investment in the academy is at the heart of United’s long-term strategy, according to Asghar.
“I read an article from an agent talking about players moving to top clubs abroad and, for me, Dundee United are not there yet,” he said.
“But the owner is investing heavily in our academy and our development pathway – with coaching, sports science and analysis – for us to become a top international level academy.
“Scott Banks, Logan Chalmers, Jamie Robson, Ross Graham, Chris Mochrie and others are the start of this journey.”
