Cowdenbeath have knocked back an offer from St Mirren aimed at clearing the way for striker Gareth Wardlaw to move from Central Park to the Buddies.
As Courier Sport revealed, this week Saints boss Danny Lennon wants Wardlaw to follow him to Paisley.
But the player is at the centre of a contractual dispute, with the SFA insisting he’s a free agent after a mistake was made in registering the new one-year deal he signed with Cowden earlier this summer while the SFL have determined the paperwork is valid and binds him to the Fifers.
St Mirren have offered a small sum by way of compensation in order to get a deal done. But that has been rejected out of hand.
“I would hope this gets sorted out next week once Danny returns from holiday,” said Blue Brazil manager Jimmy Nicholl.
“But as things stand Gareth is staying here because our needs are greater than theirs, especially considering the offer St Mirren have made us is for the kind of money kids are spending at a weekend on sweets!”
Nicholl revealed he has spoken to Wardlaw regarding his situation.
“I told Gareth it’s no lose for him,” he said.
“Either he gets what he wants and gets a crack at the SPL or he’s facing the exciting prospect of first division football here and rising to the challenge of scoring goals at this level.
“To be fair he seems all right. His attitude is certainly fine and he’s working hard in training.”
Cowden have arranged two pre-season friendly matches away from home over the next two weeks.
The Fifers will return to the scene of their promotion play-off final triumph at Brechin, on Tuesday, July 13, kick-off 7.45pm, before going on to meet Stenhousemuir at Larbert on Saturday, July 17, kick-off 3pm.