Dundee United are sticking by their pledge not to sell to Celtic by knocking back the champions’ £900,000 bid for Nadir Ciftci.
The Tangerines are looking for over £1 million for their star striker and any successful buyer is likely to come from outwith Scotland.
Indeed, English Championship side Middlesbrough are reportedly considering tabling a £1.7 million offer for the Turkish frontman.
Ciftci, who scored 16 goals for United last season, is under contract at Tannadice for another year but has already informed them he will be not be extending his deal.
That leaves manager Jackie McNamara and the board in a quandary over whether to cash in on Ciftci now or use him for the remainder of his contract.
Also, the player is due to answer a charge of “excessive misconduct” at Hampden on July 20 for allegedly biting Dundee’s Jim McAlister on the leg during the derby at the end of last season.
He could face a lengthy ban if found guilty, thereby reducing both his sell-on and retention value.
The decision not to sell Ciftci to Celtic was taken by United behind the scenes in April after suffering fall-out from the double departure of Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven to the Hoops in the January transfer window.