Dundee United boss Mixu Paatelainen admits he has contacted Alexei Eremenko but only to catch up with the player

Dundee United boss Mixu Paatelainen insists there has been no “serious contact” with Alexei Eremenko.

The 32-year-old midfielder is someone the manager knows well from their time together at Kilmarnock and Paatelainen has been linked with making a move for Eremenko who is a free agent at the moment.

However, the Tangerines’ manager insists that while he has been in touch with the player, it was more of a text catch-up rather than a serious offer to come to Tannadice.

Paatelainen said: “If Alexei wants to join us that’s great because he’s a quality player.

“We worked together previously and I value him.

“He is a wonderful playmaker so who knows what the future holds.

“There has been no serious contact but every now and again with all my ex-players there are text messages.

“I like to know how they’re keeping but right now there’s nothing serious.

“I’d imagine he has plenty of options. He has told me before that he has clubs in Europe and outside Europe.

“Quality players like him are always in demand.

“We have a couple of trialists in at the moment and are seeing how they get on.”