SCOTTISH Premier League side, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, have matched Derry City's valuation of their transfer listed central defender, Darren Kelly while Kilmarnock and Dundee United have been joined by Aberdeen in a race to sign the 28-year-old.
ARTHUR DUFFY
reports
Confirming that a bid had been tabled by an SPL club, Brandywell boss, John Robertson refused to identify the team involved but 'Journal' sources in Scotland have confirmed that it was Highlands club, Inverness, who are keen to sign the Creggan man.
The bid, understood to be in the region of ?35,000 with a sell-on clause, will be discussed by the club's Board of Directors this weekend, while the other clubs have been informed of the development.
"We've received an offer for Darren," confirmed Robertson. "The club involved has met the valuation of the Board of Directors but there are another two clubs interested in signing him. We have already given them permission to speak with Darren and, as far as I know, those negotiations have taken place.
"Indeed, he's been involved in training and also played a practice game 'behind closed doors' and those clubs interested in him have been informed about this week's development. Now it's up to them," he added.
"It's my view that the Board have placed a fair valuation on him and, indeed, protected the club over the long term - with the provision of a sell-on clause - and I would imagine that others interested may well be in touch this weekend.
"It's very much up to Darren. If the other two clubs which have made approaches opt not to match or better the bid, then Darren will have to make a decision on his future. The ball is now very much in his court," declared Robertson.
However, over the past 24 hours the same 'Journal' sources in Scotland have confirmed that Aberdeen have now entered the race. That said, the Creggan man has always made it clear that he wishes to reside in the North-West of England (Carlisle to be exact), therefore, there's no doubt that his preferred option would be a move to Kilmarnock, should that club maintain its efforts to sign him.