Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara has given the strongest indication yet that the club is not looking to cash in during the transfer window.
The Tangerines will, in all likelihood, face wave after wave of transfer speculation this month.
Prize assets like Andy Robertson, Ryan Gauld, John Souttar, Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong have already been linked with an array of clubs and it is hard to ignore, for example, a visit to Tannadice from Everton boss Roberto Martinez.
However, McNamara who has added Brentford’s Farid El Alagui to his squad stressed that no offer has been made for anyone by anyone since the window opened.
Significantly, he argued that even if a bumper bid did come in then it may still not be in the best interests of the club to accept it.
“There has been a lot of talk but there has been no bid for any player and long may that continue to be the case,” said McNamara.
“We are just like any other club but it is not as if we want to sell anyone because we don’t. We want to keep them and build for the future.
“It doesn’t suit us to sell anyone just now. There is no advantage to us regardless of the money side of things.
“So for me it is important to keep them all and the sooner the window shuts the better.”
Meanwhile, United are awaiting news back from John Rankin’s agent regarding a possible new deal.
The midfielder’s contract runs out in the summer and, along with team-mate Gavin Gunning, he has yet to commit himself to staying on beyond that.
Mark Wilson’s short-term deal expires at the end of the month but the indications are that he will be re-signing.
“We have spoken to John’s agent and are waiting on him getting back to us,” said McNamara. “I appreciate that he has to do what is best for him and respect that position.
“Mark Wilson’s deal is up at the end of the month so we are also trying to sort that out. If they want to be with us for the future then that’s great for us.”