Chairman Stephen Thompson has admitted there is “not much more” Dundee United can do to keep John Souttar at the club.
Souttar’s current deal runs out at the end of the season and he can sign a pre-contract with another club at the turn of the year.
He has been linked with both Celtic and Rangers – the former more strongly and consistently – and if he wants to move to one of the Old Firm or elsewhere then his destiny is in his own hands.
Thompson, asked if Souttar was any closer to agreeing a new contract with United, replied: “No. He was offered a contract to make him the equally-highest paid player at the club at the age of 19.
“I think if you look at that then there is not much more the club can do.
“But things may change, I don’t know.
“He is only 19 years old, although it feels like he has been around a lot longer than that.
“Now we have a new head coach in Mixu Paatelainen his attitude might change.”
Meanwhile, Thompson has made it clear that he feels new manager Paatelainen will have scope to freshen up his squad when the January transfer window opens.
He said: “We have 51 players so that’s a lot of players in the squad.
“It is too big.
“Mixu has inherited a squad which he has until January.
“We are limited to what we can do in January for obvious reasons people are under contract.
“But obviously we will have to bring one or two people in.”