Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin has provided a bleak forecast regarding his side’s chances of securing striker Sam Dalby on a permanent deal.
Dalby joined United in the summer on loan from Wrexham and has proven to be a fantastic addition to the Premiership.
He is currently the league’s top scorer with 11 goals and will be crucial in Dundee United’s bid to secure European football next season.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 3 |  AberdeenAberdeen | 26 | 11 | 5 | 10 | 34 | 39 | -5 | 38 |
| 4 |  Dundee UtdDundee Utd | 26 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 32 | 31 | 1 | 37 |
| 5 |  HibernianHibernian | 26 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 37 | 37 | 0 | 34 |
Wrexham held the option to recall Dalby in January but thankfully for Dundee United, he was allowed to remain at Tannadice until the end of the campaign.
Dalby said afterwards that summer options ‘would be good’ amid Wrexham’s bid to keep the striker with a new contract offer.
Dundee United cannot ‘compete’ with Wrexham for Sam Dalby
That new deal being tabled for the striker was made known at the end of January, but Goodwin has now addressed it directly for the first time.
And he admits Dundee United will not be able to better or even match that contract offer due to the financial backing Wrexham boast.
As quoted in The Courier, the United manager is desperate to keep Dalby beyond the summer but said: “I am led to believe that Wrexham have made him a very good offer and, financially, we couldn’t compete with that, with the budget and investment they have.
“Our focus – and Sam’s focus – is on him having a good end to the season. Of course, we will discuss his future with him, but I don’t want there to be any distractions or him thinking we are putting him under unnecessary pressure.
“We want him to enjoy his football and what will be, will be in the summer. We are desperate to keep him, and Sam is loving life up in Scotland.
“He knows how much we rate him at the club and his game is suited to the Premiership. He has already tried the lower leagues in England.”
Jason Holt won’t be leaving Dundee United
In other Dundee United transfer news, Goodwin has confirmed that defender Kevin Holt will be staying at Tannadice until the end of the season.
The Courier recently reported that Derry City – who signed ex-Hearts striker Liam Boyce in January – submitted an enquiry over Holt’s availability at the start of January.
Nothing materialised during the Scottish transfer window, but the League of Ireland’s window remains open until the evening of February 21.
Goodwin can’t afford to let Holt leave as the manager said: “We’ve not had anything on Kevin, and he won’t be going anywhere. It would leave us short in that area and we aren’t going to do that to ourselves.
“He has been terrific in his two seasons here. Kev has been fantastic and really consistent this season; he has been a big reason why we are in the league position we are right now.
“He is an important player, and we appreciate what he has done for the club.”