Crystal Palace will join Southampton in making a bid for Dundee United youngster Kerr Smith before the close of the window.
The Saints have already opened talks with United but have been unable to come to an agreement yet.
It is understood that it would take a major six figure bid, with additional extras, to even get the Tannadice to the table.
Southampton are expected to try and up their offer now that Premier League rivals Palace are set to enter the fray.
Palace previously moved to sign Scott Banks on freedom of contract from United.
Celtic have also had Smith watched but are unlikely to make a move.
United are hopeful they can get keeper Benjamin Siegrist’s injury scanned by the end of the week.
The Swiss keeper injured his knee in training at the end of last week.
The United medical team need to wait for the swelling to go down before they can get it scanned and see the extent of the damage.
Siegrist is in the final year of his contract and has been one of United's top performers over the last season.
