Dundee United let Gauld go

Dundee United will benefit further if Portuguese side Sporting go on to sell Ryan Gauld following the teenager’s big-money move to Lisbon.

The 18-year-old joined the Champions League qualifiers for a fee reported to be worth up to £3 million but Sporting immediately slapped a £47.8m buy-out clause in the midfielder’s six-year contract.

United could be set for a more immediate additional windfall amid reports they have rejected a £1.5m bid from West Ham for 20-year-old left-back Andy Robertson, who made his Scotland debut last season after moving from amateur side Queen’s Park last summer.

And future riches await them if playmaker Gauld fulfils his potential.

Chairman Stephen Thompson said: “It’s never easy to let one of your best players go but it was a fantastic deal for the club and a great opportunity for Ryan.

“I cannot discuss the confidentiality of the agreement with Sporting but we are very pleased with the contract that we have got. If he is successful and moves on further down the line then we will benefit from that as well.

“They were the first club to come to the table and have proper negotiations with us. He is a pretty quiet lad, he will get on with it and I think he will settle in well. It’s a great opportunity and a great club that he has gone to.”