Dundee United approached regarding possible Shakhtar Donetsk link

Dundee United have been approached regarding a possible link-up with Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk.

The move was made via a third party and not directly by Donetsk owner and president Rinat Akhmetov, who is one of the wealthiest men in Ukraine.

A Tannadice source last night confirmed that contact had been made but was keen to play down the possibility of its leading to any kind of tie-up.

A report surfaced on eastern European football website Futbolgrad claiming that “Shakhtar are in advanced talks with Dundee United.”

It added that the Tangerines would “become a feeder club for the Ukrainian-based club.”

However, such approaches are understood to be relatively common place and rarely go any further than the initial discussion.

United, meanwhile, will go into Wednesday’s match against Hearts at Tynecastle 10 points adrift at the bottom of the Premiership.

Their home game against Motherwell was called off on Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch and that gave second-bottom Kilmarnock the opportunity to widen the gap by beating Hamilton Accies 1-0 at New Douglas Park.