Dundee United boss Jackie McNamara has played down weekend reports linking Italian Serie A side Catania with moves for Johnny Russell.
The Tangerines’ prize asset is currently recovering from a broken leg but despite being sidelined, speculation continues over his future at Tannadice.
However, McNamara retains hope that the coveted striker will ultimately sign a new contract tying him to the club for the foreseeable future.
The manager said: “It’s just speculation from my point of view. There’s not been anything with me or Johnny.
“There will be speculation about him because he’s a good player. We’ll have that for the next few months. He’s going into the last year so there are a lot of things to consider.
“Ideally, he’ll sign a new contract here and I can work with him. But we’ll need to speak to his representatives and see what’s happening.
“We’ve missed him since he went out of the team. He scored five goals in four games when we first came in here. If he’d been fit, it would have made a difference.”
There could also be a difference to the type of budget McNamara has to play with for next season with United facing a bill of 230,000 euros in compensation for the signing of Damian Casalinuovo.
Former boss Craig Levein snapped up the Argentine striker from Platense in July 2009. No transfer fee was involved but Platense subsequently sought compensation which Fifa originally set at 400,000 euros.
It was reduced on appeal but United still intend to take the matter to the Court of Arbitration in Sport, with McNamara keeping his fingers crossed that their decision will not impact on his budget.
He said: “Will it affect me? I hope not. It has come out of the blue a bit but you just have to get on with it. You have to work with what resources you have available to you.
“Money isn’t always the answer just look at the young boys we’ve had come into the team lately.”
Meanwhile, McNamara also took time to congratulate the club he left to manage at Tannadice after they clinched the First Division title at the weekend.
Partick Thistle, under new boss Alan Archibald, ensured they will be playing in the SPL next season with a win at Falkirk and McNamara believes they will be a welcome addition to the top tier.
He added: “I’m delighted for Partick Thistle. It’s great for the players, Archie and a lot of people behind the scenes.
“There are so many good people there who have helped the club get where it is and they deserve a lot of credit too. They will be a good addition to the SPL, it’s a good club with a lot of good hungry players.
“So they’ll add a lot to the SPL. I’m delighted they have got up and I’m looking forward to facing them next season.”