Dundee United will have to sell before they can buy any more players for the new season.
At the launch of the club’s new kit, manager Peter Houston admitted there is no spare cash for purchases following the signings of Willo Flood and John Rankin.
He would have to wait for the exit of a player or players out of Tannadice before he could step back into the transfer market.
Houston, who played down a reported interest in taking new Scotland international Grant Hanley on loan from Blackburn Rovers, knows that could mean the departure of star striker David Goodwillie or Slovakian international goalkeeper Dusan Pernis.
“I have no money to bring in any players,” confirmed Houston. “I would like to bring people in and I have a list of targets but it is not as simple or as easy as that.
“I need a player to leave before I can look at adding anyone. If nobody comes in for any of our players I expect to be going with what I have.
“I have actually overspent to get Willo Flood and John Rankin in. The chairman (Stephen Thompson) has pushed the boat out to get them and has given me a wee bit more because of being in Europe.
“If I went to him now asking for money I know what the answer would be.
“I need more players and I would like a centre half and a left-sided player but at the moment it is not possible.
“We have not had any offers for anyone, be it David Goodwillie, Dusan Pernis or anyone else.”
While there is no scope for signings without sales, Houston stressed the overall cash pot has actually increased compared to last term.
“The budget has not actually gone down, to be fair to the chairman,” said Houston.
“What has happened is that although players have left, the ones who are still here have it written into their contracts that they are due a rise.Four players’ worth”So you maybe have four or five of them getting more money and that is eating up a lot. That is the way it has balanced out.
“What has happened is that with the likes of Willo Flood coming in, I will actually have the same money or a wee bit more but less players.
“I could maybe have got four players for the money we spent on Rankin and Flood but, a bit like Walter Smith last season signing Nikica Jelavic for Rangers, I thought we should focus more on the quality.”
While Houston is having to play a waiting game to reshape his squad, he admits he would be happy to go with the players he has at his disposal-provided United don’t suffer another injury crisis.
“There are loads of good players out there and we have specific targets,” he said.
“We spend all season looking at players in England and Scotland, so we have people in mind if it does become possible to make signings.
Continued…
“I have no worries about the quality of the squad and if I can get the team I want on the park then we will be up there.
“But the concern would come if we pick up the injuries like we did last season.”
On the plus side, United have their fair share of up and coming prospects like Dale Hilson and Ryan Dow, who were modelling the strips.
“We have Dale and Ryan, as well as Stuart Armstrong, who is starting to break into the team,” added Houston. “The first two were out on loan at Forfar and I went to watch them a few times.
“They did very well and (Loons boss) Dick Campbell was delighted with their contribution.
“They are playing for points and bonus money for part-time players. It is more real than playing for the youth team because you have to put the foot in and take the knocks.
“David Goodwillie and Johnny Russell have been out on loan and it benefited them.
“I think the same will be said for Hilson and Dow.”