Dundee United have confirmed they have turned down a third offer for striker Johnny Russell – and insist they will not be hurried into a deal by the striker’s agent.
According to reports, Italian side Catania made their third attempt to sign the player earlier this month.
The Tannadice club now say they have rejected a 450,000 Euro (£383,861) offer from the Serie A outfit but have reacted angrily by what they see as attempts by the player’s representatives to force a move.
United claim the agent working on behalf of the player – who is out of contract next season – has now informed them that Russell wants to leave.
The club statement insists chairman Steven Thompson will not keep Russell on Tayside should he wish to further his career but stresses United will demand what they see as a fair value for the player before letting him go.
The statement read: “Dundee United Football Club would like to put the record straight regarding press reports today relating to Johnny Russell.
“Firstly, the same agent who wished the Club to sign a commission-based mandate for him to sell Johnny Russell (on) our behalf has now told us that the player will not sign a contract extension and that he wishes to leave Dundee United. Johnny Russell is under contract until May 31, 2014.
“With regard to the so-called ‘third’ offer, as this is now in the public domain we can confirm we received a second bid of E450,000 in instalments three weeks ago and this was rejected.
“Dundee United would like Johnny Russell to stay at the Club but it now appears from press reports that his agent is intent on forcing a transfer, at a fee which falls well below our valuation of the player.
“We have the utmost respect for Johnny Russell and will not stand in the way of him furthering his career. However we will not be told by agents how to run our football club. We have invested heavily in our youth set-up over the last few years and expect to receive a decent return on this investment when players are sold.
“If we are to continue to invest in our youth system and develop players to enable them to further their careers, we must ensure that this investment is sustainable.”
Russell – United’s 20-goal top scorer – is currently recovering from a broken leg he sustained in a Clydesdale Bank Premier League match with Inverness at the end of February.