Dundee United in talks with 2 Premier League clubs as Hibs style investment in early stages

Brighton and Brentford are both looking into potential partnerships with Dundee United.

The interest comes on the back of the SFA’s decision to allow Bournemouth co-owner Bill Foley to buy a minority shareholding in Hibs. Their English Premier League rivals are both now looking at the possibility of investments of their own north of the border. They are both looking closely at the Scottish Championship leaders although interest is still in the early stages.

Brighton chairman Tony Bloom also has an investment in Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise and is keen to see if a deal can be done in Scotland. Brentford owner Matthew Benham invested in Midtjylland but has since sold his majority-holding in the Danish club. Bees technical director Lee Dykes has already been up at United games in recent weeks.

United chairman Mark Ogren has invested significantly in his club but are trying to recover after last season’s relegation. They remain top of the Championship and if they make a top-flight return then it would make them an even more attractive proposition for investors.

United also has a thriving academy and that is big for the English clubs who can’t bring in the same overseas players after coming out of the European Union. Scottish football is also becoming more and more attractive to overseas investors.

There is American interest in buying both St Johnstone and Dundee United. The Scottish Football Association’s decision to relax the rules over multi-club ownership rules should also open the door to further moves.