Post by Taxigirl on Jun 30, 2004 10:40:23 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee/3849817.stm
Striker Nacho Novo has arrived at Celtic Park for signing talks after Dundee accepted a £500,000 offer from the Scottish champions.
Celtic's Glasgow rivals, Rangers, had long been favourites to capture the 25-year-old Spaniard.
But the Ibrox club have so far only increased their bid to £350,000.
A Dundee spokesman said on Tuesday: "We are continuing to talk to a number of clubs who have expressed an interest in Nacho Novo."
Dundee had denied suggestions that Novo is prepared to hold out for a move to Rangers, even if it meant leaving for nothing next season.
His willingness to travel to Glasgow to meet Celtic officials appears to be confirmation of that.
Novo is close friends with former Dens Park team-mate Zurab Khizanishvili, who has been at Ibrox for a season.
Rangers angered the Tayside club when an SPL tribunal ruled they did not have to pay a fee for the Georgian defender Zura Khizanishvili.
Dundee were placed in administration days later and Dens Park chief executive Peter Marr has criticised Rangers for being "short-sighted" in the race for Novo.
"It's sad Rangers can't afford another £150,000 to sign a player who could possibly put them into the Champions League," he told the Sun.
"What's that worth to them? It could be counted in millions. All the money they get from that would easily pay for his transfer.
"After all, Rangers didn't have a player who matched his total of 25 goals last season and we don't consider £500,000 is a lot of money for Nacho.
"Thankfully, there may be other clubs who can match our valuation.
"Anyway, no matter what Rangers think, we have to do what is best for Dundee."
Striker Nacho Novo has arrived at Celtic Park for signing talks after Dundee accepted a £500,000 offer from the Scottish champions.
Celtic's Glasgow rivals, Rangers, had long been favourites to capture the 25-year-old Spaniard.
But the Ibrox club have so far only increased their bid to £350,000.
A Dundee spokesman said on Tuesday: "We are continuing to talk to a number of clubs who have expressed an interest in Nacho Novo."
Dundee had denied suggestions that Novo is prepared to hold out for a move to Rangers, even if it meant leaving for nothing next season.
His willingness to travel to Glasgow to meet Celtic officials appears to be confirmation of that.
Novo is close friends with former Dens Park team-mate Zurab Khizanishvili, who has been at Ibrox for a season.
Rangers angered the Tayside club when an SPL tribunal ruled they did not have to pay a fee for the Georgian defender Zura Khizanishvili.
Dundee were placed in administration days later and Dens Park chief executive Peter Marr has criticised Rangers for being "short-sighted" in the race for Novo.
"It's sad Rangers can't afford another £150,000 to sign a player who could possibly put them into the Champions League," he told the Sun.
"What's that worth to them? It could be counted in millions. All the money they get from that would easily pay for his transfer.
"After all, Rangers didn't have a player who matched his total of 25 goals last season and we don't consider £500,000 is a lot of money for Nacho.
"Thankfully, there may be other clubs who can match our valuation.
"Anyway, no matter what Rangers think, we have to do what is best for Dundee."