Dundee United have signed Tony Watt on a pre-contract with gaffer Tam Courts admitting a crowd-pleasing hitman was a top priority.
The Premiership’s top scorer will leave Motherwell for Tayside in the summer unless United can strike a deal that will see him move to Tannadice next month.
Courts’ men are the joint-bottom scorers in the Premiership and the boss knows they need to bring in someone to take the burden off Nicky Clark, although Marc McNulty is close to returning from injury.
Midfielder Peter Pawlett is their top league scorer with five goals.
And Courts said: “We are trying to do a number of different things, giving young players their chance but also having that clarity about who we want to bring in.
“We want someone at the top end of the pitch to excite the fans, really help the team and maybe add a different type of profile up there.
“We have goalscorers in the building, Nicky and Marc are proven at this level. But I think another proven scorer, either for January or at the end of the season, I would be open to that.”
If a deal for Watt can’t be done next month then United are likely to look elsewhere in the short-term.
Courts confirmed: “Recruitment in January will be similar to the summer. It will either be recruit to replace or bringing in support in key areas, like the top of the pitch.
“We have been having all the meetings to discuss the way forward and what we are looking for. I feel confident we will get the support we need.”
Courts admitted that sporting director Tony Asghar has all the bases covered should anyone come in for the likes of Benji Siegrist, Ian Harkes and Jeando Fuchs. They’re all going into the last six months of their contracts.
He explained: “If any of the bigger- name players do end up being sold, we have the back-ups in place to get through that.
“But I am confident that nobody we don’t want to leave will go in January.
“We know our players will be of interest to clubs, there is always an open dialogue with the players.
“The guys are committed, they enjoy being here and are on board with what we’re trying to do.
“But clubs may want to pay a substantial fee for them, we will just have to wait and see.”
United have been big on giving youth a chance and that is why they won’t flood the squad with signings.
Courts predicted: “It’s going to be a big year for the young players who have already had a first-team taste.
“In a lot of ways, getting into it and making the breakthrough is the easiest bit – it’s staying there now that will challenge them.
“They know they have the talent to do it here but the reality is now they have to do it every day.
“They have to be very targeted on whose position they’re after and every single day in training they have to provide competition.”
