Dundee United have admitted they are interested in the Australian football scene but have fallen short of confirming they are about to buy A-League team Newcastle Jets.
Tangerines chairman Stephen Thompson has spent a lot of his time Down Under this year and has taken in matches and visited various clubs.
Reports in the Australian media have linked him and his club with a possible purchase of the Jets, whose owner Nathan Tinkler is keen to find a buyer.
In a statement, United did not deny that they were interested in buying the New South Wales side but it does appear that the likelier result of Thompson’s work in Australia is an official tie-up between them and an Aussie team.
A Tannadice spokesperson said: “We have been made aware of reports circulating in Australia regarding a potential purchase of Newcastle Jets.
“We can confirm that our own chairman Stephen Thompson has visited Australia recently where he met a number of clubs’ and league representatives as part of a wide-ranging fact-finding mission.
“This (United’s) board’s view is that football is a global market place and as part of our aim to develop Dundee United Football Club we are continually seeking opportunities to improve on and off field.
“Mr Thompson’s visit to Australia provided a worthwhile insight into a league that is progressing rapidly, whose clubs are part of a growing market in world football and is home to a number of very promising young players.
“At all times the board will act in the best interests of this club and Australia is simply one of a number of countries that Dundee United is monitoring.
“Our philosophy remains focused on the identification and professional development of the best young footballing talent available.”