Dundee have been told to substantially increase their offer for Queen of the South full-back Kevin Holt or face going to a tribunal to agree a fee for over 10 years’ worth of development.
Dens boss Paul Hartley has targeted the 22-year-old however the Palmerston side are entitled to a fee for their input into the development of the locally-based player.
The Dark Blues have so far tabled two bids that have not been of interest to the Dumfries club either in terms of the amount offered or the stages of payments involved.
Queen’s boss James Fowler said: “It is not the ideal time to be discussing this as we are in the play-offs however Dundee have not made our Board sit up and take notice in terms of wanting Kevin.
“He has been with the club for a long time and is a smashing player, one that we would be delighted to keep.”
Holt has made over 100 appearances for the promotion-chasing Doonhamers since his debut in September, 2011, with Fowler adding: “If we cannot agree a deal and Kevin wants to go to Dundee at the end of the season, then we would have to get an independent tribunal involved.
“They would look at the time he has spent with us and the games we have played him in to enhance his development.”
Meanwhile, Dundee keeper Scott Bain has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee problem.
The 23-year-old suffered the injury at Celtic Park at the start of this month and Kyle Letheren took his place between the sticks against Inverness on Saturday.
And the Welshman will also be in goal for the Dark Blues’ remaining games against Aberdeen and Dundee United.
Hartley said: “Scott is out for the rest of the season.
“He’s got this knee injury and we don’t want to take any risks.
“Kyle did well against Inverness and we know he can do a good job for us.”