Dundee are looking forward to a six-figure boost to their signing kitty for next season courtesy of old boy Kevin McDonald’s imminent arrival in the English Premier League .One of the clauses in the deal that took the Scotland Under-21 star to Burnley a year ago stated the Dark Blues would get extra money if the Clarets got promotion. McDonald was an unused sub. as that happened via a play-off victory over Sheffield United at Wembley yesterday.It has been reported that Dens Park , the home of Dundee FC, is owned by someone who is about to rejoin the Dundee United board. John Bennett, who quit his role as a director at Tannadice last September, has been revealed as the current owner of the Dark Blues’ home. However, the millionaire former boss of property surveyors J. & E. Shepherd is also understood to be on his way back to the Tangerines’ boardroom. Should that happen, fans would face the unprecedented situation of a United director owning the place where their local rivals play their matches. He is also claimed to have given Dundee use of the ground rent free for the next 30 months while holding talks with new Dens director, Calum Melville, about selling the stadium to him for a fee in the region of £1 million. To make matters even more intriguing Bennett, who has already invested heavily in the Dark Blues, is also reported to have an option to buy a 60% interest in Dundee FC for £1, and to have purchased the Dens club’s alleged £7.5 million debt from their bank for around £500,000. Bennett, who pulled the plug on a takeover of Dundee at the 11th hour last October, is a regular spectator at games at Tannadice despite his interest in the city’s other club.
Dundee are set to make an improved offer for Partick Thistle midfielder Gary Harkins after their first bid was rejected by the Jags.Partick are holding out for a six-figure fee for the 24-year-old and, while the Dark Blues may not go that high, the clubs are still talking and edging closer to a deal.
