Transfer Talk

So apparently a bid of around £60k has gone in for Jim O'Brien of Celtic. The out of contract player has been on trial with Motherwell recently but it is thought that gaffer Craig Levein is keen to bring the young winger back to Tannadice, where he spent the second half of last season on loan.

I'm never one to question the judgement of Levein, but I would be leaving this one well alone. From what I seen of him last season, he offered us little. I'm sure other United fans share this view.

To our next target, it is rumoured that we have rekindled our interest in Ranger Forward Alan Gow. Rangers have told the forward, who has made a massive 2 appearance since signing last year, that he can move for free should he find a suitable club.

The club are also set to pay off his contract in full, meaning Gow would be more willing to take a wage cut. United face competition from Hearts for his signature.

If either of these rumours/stories are true, my choice would be Gow. But hey, we might end up with both!

Playing Catch Up.

So I am playing catch up today.

Now the whole of the football world know about Noel Hunts transfer to Reading.

Unfortunately, at the time this was all being confirmed, I was in St. Andrews, taking in a Barcelona training session. I got some pictures, which I will upload tonight and post.

Then, I arrived back, got the news (OK so we already knew didn't we, it was more the official confirmation we were waiting for) that Noel was away.

Depending on what you believe the fee, which officially is undisclosed, is anywhere between between £600k and £1m. Personally, from what I heard, I reckon it's at the lower end of that bracket.

What do we all think of the transfer?

It's a good piece of business in my eyes. A good profit from a player we signed for £50k and it would appear the gaffer seen it coming, judging by the number of forwards he signed this close season.

Hunt obviously wanted to try his hand at a higher level, fair play to the lad. He stated his intentions to United, yet he didn't come out in the press making waves about wanting a move. He carried on through pre season with a very professional attitude.

And nobody can say a bad word about his commitment when playing in a United shirt. He always gave 100%.

It's sad to see him go but you can't blame him for wanting to move on.

So, Arabest to Noel Hunt and good luck at Reading. I hope he makes a success out of his time there.

Hunt Deal almost done?

Word is going around that despite rejecting a £500k bid from Reading for Noel Hunt last night, the club have now accepted a bid in the region of £750k.

It is thought that United are prepared to accept a bid closer to the £1m mark, with £750k thought to be the figure it would take to prise the Irishman away from Tannadice.

Rumour has it that the striker is now one route to the Madjeski Stadium to under go a medical, before putting pen to paper on a deal that will see him join forces with his brother Stephen Hunt.

It is noted that Hunt was set to be left out the squad to face Dunfermline tonight (not tomorrow as I stated elsewhere) due to a knock.

I'm more than happy for this deal, if true, to go through. Yes, his goals last season were important and will be a big loss for the team, but (and here I go putting all my faith in one man) if Warren Feeney can chip in with a few this year and this likes of Shala and Sandaza can pick up a years experience, I reckon the loss of Hunt wont be as dramatic as some may thing.

And we can very well argue with a profit of £700k over a couple of years, can we?

Reading Hunting Hunt.

United have knocked back an improved bid from Reading for Striker Noel Hunt.

The Royals made a second bid for the Irishman, believed to be in the region of £500k.

Steve Coppel is looking for a striker after the sale of Dave Kitson. It is thought that Hunt may be swayed by the fact his brother plays for the club.

As much as I would hate to see him go, his contract is up at the end of the season. Time to cash in, or risk loosing him for nothing.

Feeney may well turn out to be a good signing, and with a years experience Shala and Sandaza may prove to be big players for us.

Time to wait for an improved bid and take the money.

We Got Him Signed!

The Gaffer clearly heard my call of Get Him Signed!!! (Sarcasm)

United have today signed Spanish Striker Francesco Sandaza form Valencia Mastalla.

The striker, who scored 23 goals last season, will complete his move in the coming days.

He has signed a 3 year contract.

The team is taking shape.

Roll on the new Season!

Get Him Signed!!!

Ok so this here would appear to be a video of our Spanish Trialist Francesco Sandaza.

Francesco Sandaza
Uploaded by brondony

The Boy looks like a class act.

I say, get him signed!

Watch and enjoy.

Spanish Striker on Trial.

Unfortunately not David Villa however, apparently United have a young Spanish Striker by the name of Francesco Sandaza on trial (I have shamelessly stolen this info from United Mad, cheers to hulltoonarab!)

Check out the thread, contains videos of the guy, looks fairly decent.

Rumor is the Gaffer has him on trial to assess his suitability for the SPL.

Deal for Feeney?

I couldn't have been more wrong.

Apparently O'Donovan is not Tannadice bound. I hold my hands up and admit my mistakes.

Anyway although there is nothing official been stated on the BBC, Official Site or anywhere for that matter (Other than Wikipedia and a few message boards) it appears Warren Feeney has apparently signed a one year loan deal.

News appeared in a Belfast newspaper today (I can't find a link at the moment) confirming.

Seems a bit out of the blue although it had been mentioned a couple of times, the big rumour was O'Donovan was the one set to sign.

Feeney did look like a good prospect at Bournemouth with 32 goals in 98 appearances. If he has signed, hopefully the gaffer will be the one to get some decent form like that out of him.

Lets see what the next couple of days bring, maybe some official confirmation?

O'Donovan to sign?

I have it on good (read decent) authority that Dundee United will sign Roy O'Donovan from Sunderland over the weekend/early part of next week.

Craig Levein has been on the trail of the striker since last summer however, a deal fell apart.

The deal for the striker will be a season long loan. Leeds United are also said to be interested in the Irish man.

Not knowing much about the guy, it's fairly hard to comment. I have said before I believe he could be a decent signing and the Gaffer does have a knack of signing the right men, so hears hoping.

We shall see over the coming days.

Mark Kerr Away,

We knew he was going anyway as his contract was up.

So now Mark Kerr has now agreed a deal with Aberdeen.

Good luck to him however, I will add, he reckons Jimmy "Tangoman" Calderwood can make him a Scotland International!

I will leave it at that...

Flood Deal Confirmed.

Hours after every news agency and message board has reported it and everyone has seen it(Damn work!), I can report that Willo Flood has signed a further years loan deal with Dundee United.

Good News!

The squad seems to be taking shape now and with the addition of another fairly prolific striker, it could be an exciting season ahead.

Roll on August 11th.

Flood has signed...

...well maybe.

A bit misleading I admit, but rumours are going around that Willo Flood has agreed to join United on a further years loan.

I will admit that I am just a tad disappointed as I would have preferred a permanent deal, however at the same time, it's great news that Willo will be in our ranks come next season.

Obviously money was a big factor in the deal not being permanent, but we can't complain.

If he picks up where he left off from last season, he will be a very important player for us over the next season.

Thoughts please?

Flood to Stay?

Rumours are floating about Cardiff City websites that Willo Flood is set to make his loan move to Dundee United permanent.

Neither club have yet commented.

Cardiff have made three new signings over the past day or so, meaning Floods first team opportunities would suffer even more.

It is also thought that Flood would jump at the chance to stay a Tannadice.

Really hoping that this is true. Flood was a big player for us last season, improving all the time.

It would be a big signing if we are to keep him.

Any comments?

Incoming?

Next striker for United to be linked with?

Maruis Niculae of Inverness Cally Thistle.

Cally appear to be set to cash in on the Romanian hitman, as they struggle to afford his £4k a week wages.

Now, I haven't seen much of him admittedly but, from what I have seen, I'm not to impressed to be honest. As much as he is a powerfully forward, he just doesn't seem to bang in enough goals.

That and I wouldn't imagine he would be happy to take a wage cut, and I don't think we would be looking to give one player a circa £4k wage.

Keep looking in my opinion.

So, What Do We Need?

Craig Levein has stated he is looking to bring in another three players. Two out of these three he would like to be strikers.

But what do you think we need?

So far we have added Andis Shala(ST), Michael McGovern(GK), Scott Robertson(MC) and Paul Dixon(DL)

Firstly Goalkeepers and Defenders are settled. We have lost Kalvenes, but with the addition of Dixon to battle it out with Danny Grainger for the left back spot, we should be covered. Wilkie, Dodds and Kenneth for the centre backs and Dillon and Kovacevic, who can also play in the middle, are fine cover. Hopefully this season will see the return of the highly rated Keith Watson from injury.

Midfield, I feel, is where we need an addition. Robertson will cover the space left by the departure of Mark Kerr. Hopefully we can sort out the Bauben situation soon. Cameron is back, and hopefully time served with St Johnstone has done him some good. We also have Gomis and David Robertson.

As for wingers, here lies the problem. Craig Conway is a good little player however, he is currently injured. Other than him, there is a distinct lack of wide players.

Unless we are looking to play a narrow midfield, we could do with the addition of some width. Willo Flood, who can play wide or through the centre, would be my first choice, although money will dictate whether this is possible or not.

Another shout could be Jim McAllister from Morton. Maybe not the fans first choice, but, from my limited view of him in action, could do very well under the tuition of the Gaffer. Other than that, I'm at a loss for suggestions.

And finally, the forwards. Shala has been added and is sounding very enthusiastic about the coming season. Whether he makes an instant impact remains to be seen. He is only young and will need time.

Hopefully we can keep a hold of Noel Hunt and he can build on last year.

Daly, hard to comment due to injuries, but, harsh though it may be, it's time for him to move on if he can't prove his fitness. We can't afford passengers.

As for forwards on the cards, Alan Gow is still being mentioned, although any deal is likely to be a loan, and even at that, is very unlikely. Roy O'Donovan look set to stay with Sunderland, rumours of Liam Buchanan of Partick have died down.

My choice? Villa or Arshavin, but I feel they would buckle under pressure of playing for a club of Uniteds size(!)

I'm sure the Gaffer has something up his sleeve, no doubt it will be a gem.

Who do you think we should be looking at? What do we need? Have you heard any rumours?

Your comments are welcome.

Kalvenes To Burnley

Ok, so he is not now a United Player, but Christian Kalvenes is expected to sign for Owen Coyles Burnley.

The left back decided not to extend his time at Tannadice due to his family being homesick.

Recent reports suggested he was set to sign for Brann Bergen, however that appears to now be off the cards.

It is expected that any contract from Burnley will allow him time to visit Norway, where his wife and young child will remain.

It really is a pity he couldn't have made these arrangements with United, however I do wish him all the best, where ever he ends up.

O'Donovan a No Go.

Roy O'Donovan has said that he is happy to stay with Sunderland, and is looking to fight for his place in the first team next season.

The Irish striker is believed to have been on Craig Leveins wanted list for the past year or so, but has ruled out a move away from the Stadium of Light.

Dixon's Delight.

New boy Paul Dixon has spoke of his delight at signing for Dundee United.

The full back was paraded at Tannadice, and told how he was looking forward to working with Craig Levein.

Dixon stated that one of his main reasons for choosing United was the Managers record at bring through and improving young players and players from lower divisions.

Levein today also said that he was looking to bring another 2 or 3 players to the club.

At the top of the list is another striker.

Dixon Deal Done.

So, finally the United have completed the signing of Paul Dixon from Dundee.

The full back will fight it out with Danny Grainger for the left back spot next season.

Dixon was out of contract with Dundee, but United have paid a fee, believed to be around £25k, due to the players age.

Dixon Fee Agreed

A fee for the transfer of Paul Dixon has been agreed between United and neighbouring Dundee.

As of yet, the figure is unconfirmed.

All that is left now is to agree personal terms with the player, and then the deal can be concluded.

Dixon will be Craig Leveins 4th addition of the close season, following the signings of Scott Robertson, Andis Shala and Michael McGovern.

The full back, who has been with Dundee since the age of 12, has made 62 appearances for the Dens Park club, scoring twice.