Bohemians have granted Pat Fenlon permission to speak to Dundee United but will seek a substantial compensation package should the Dubliner take up the reins at the Scottish club.
United have made an official approach for Fenlon to succeed Craig Levein at Tannadice and are understood to have met with the former Shelbourne and Derry City manager yesterday.
But Bohemians are awaiting a compensation offer from United. The clubshonorary secretary Gerry Conway said: "Dundee United have sent us a fax asking for permission to speak to Pat.
"We've given them permission to approach him subject to compensation being agreed. I don't know whether they want to interview him as one of a number of candidates but there has been no agreement between the clubs with regards compensation.
"I don't see it going any further until that happens."
United received a reported €280,000 in compensation from the Scottish Football Association for the loss of Levein and the Dublin club will demand a sizeable fee for a manager who recently rejected an approach from Peterborough.
"We are in the same position they were in a number of weeks ago," Conway added. "They are well aware of the protection of a contract and well aware of the cost of a successful manager.
"If someone wants to take him, they have to be prepared to pay that cost. If they are, then Dundee United can talk to us about that, at which point we may or may not come to an agreement."
Shamrock Rovers manager Michael O'Neill, a former United team-mate of Fulham reserve team manager McKinlay, is also reported to be on their shortlist.
And the club have stressed several candidates remain in the frame.
United's communications director, Derek Robertson, said: "We have requested permission to speak to a manager and we have been given permission. We are now continuing with that process.
"We have still got a number of names to consider."