Dundee United midfielder Scott Robertson has been the subject of a £500,000 bid from Dundee, an investor in the First Division club has claimed.

The 24-year-old came through the youth ranks at Dens Park but moved to Tannadice in the summer of 2008.

But Dark Blues investor Calum Melville is eager to bring Robertson back across Sandeman Street - the road which divides the clubs' stadia - and claimed the midfielder is eager to return.

Melville told BBC Scotland: "He is our number one target. They need the money and we can pay better wages than them.

"We will be an SPL club again and he wants to play for us.

"This is not about stirring up things with United. We'll be happy to sign any of their good players.

"I want to re-galvanise Dundee and I don't make rash promises. What I say I'll do, I do."

Robertson made his Scotland debut against Argentina last November after impressing in his first few months at United.

However, he missed the second half of last season with a hernia problem and has been limited to six Clydesdale Bank Premier League appearances this term and is currently out with a groin injury which forced him to turn down an invitation to join George Burley's squad for Scotland's trip to Japan earlier this month.

United understandably want to retain Robertson and boss Craig Levein was critical of Melville's comments.

"If he (Melville) wants to sign Scott you can tell him to put in an offer for him," Levein told BBC Scotland.

"You can give him my number and tell him to call me.

"He'll be sitting in the house with nothing better to do than wondering how can he noise us up."