Post by Taxigirl on Jul 4, 2004 9:13:34 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee/3856045.stm
Dundee have again insisted that Celtic remain in pole position to sign striker Nacho Novo.
And they have denied reports suggesting that the Spaniard is poised to join Rangers, despite the Ibrox club not matching the £500,000 valuation.
A Dundee spokesman said: "The only way he could be training with Rangers on Monday is if he has signed for Rangers, but he is still a Dundee player.
"There have been no developments regarding that as far as I'm aware."
Novo held talks with Celtic after the Scottish champions were given permission to speak to him after tabling a £500,000 offer.
But Celtic sources told BBC Sport on Thursday that they had dropped their interest in Novo as they doubted his commitment to such a transfer.
"Nacho until now has not made up his mind yet as to whether he wants to join Celtic," insisted the Dundee spokesman.
"There were reports in the west that Celtic had told the media they had withdrawn their interest, but they've assured our chief executive that the offer remains on the table."
Novo is thought to prefer a move to Rangers and Dundee chief executive Peter Marr has told striker the 25-year-old to pay his own way if he wants to go there.
"If he wants to go to Ibrox, they or he must come up with the missing money," he said.
Rangers have had a £350,000 offer rejected and Ibrox boss Alex McLeish appears unlikely to come in with another increased bid.
And Marr told the Daily Mail: "If Nacho wants to use some of the well-paid contract that is undoubtedly on offer to make up the difference and buy his way out of Dundee then he can do that.
"We want the price Celtic have already agreed to pay - 25% of it is already due to our creditors - and people forget we paid Raith £100,000 for him two years ago anyway."
Raith Rovers are also due a sell-on clause of 15%.
Dundee have again insisted that Celtic remain in pole position to sign striker Nacho Novo.
And they have denied reports suggesting that the Spaniard is poised to join Rangers, despite the Ibrox club not matching the £500,000 valuation.
A Dundee spokesman said: "The only way he could be training with Rangers on Monday is if he has signed for Rangers, but he is still a Dundee player.
"There have been no developments regarding that as far as I'm aware."
Novo held talks with Celtic after the Scottish champions were given permission to speak to him after tabling a £500,000 offer.
But Celtic sources told BBC Sport on Thursday that they had dropped their interest in Novo as they doubted his commitment to such a transfer.
"Nacho until now has not made up his mind yet as to whether he wants to join Celtic," insisted the Dundee spokesman.
"There were reports in the west that Celtic had told the media they had withdrawn their interest, but they've assured our chief executive that the offer remains on the table."
Novo is thought to prefer a move to Rangers and Dundee chief executive Peter Marr has told striker the 25-year-old to pay his own way if he wants to go there.
"If he wants to go to Ibrox, they or he must come up with the missing money," he said.
Rangers have had a £350,000 offer rejected and Ibrox boss Alex McLeish appears unlikely to come in with another increased bid.
And Marr told the Daily Mail: "If Nacho wants to use some of the well-paid contract that is undoubtedly on offer to make up the difference and buy his way out of Dundee then he can do that.
"We want the price Celtic have already agreed to pay - 25% of it is already due to our creditors - and people forget we paid Raith £100,000 for him two years ago anyway."
Raith Rovers are also due a sell-on clause of 15%.