The city clubs are facing a hectic final few days of the summer transfer window.
It’s now into the last week in which business can be done and both Dundee and United are aiming to strengthen their squads.
At Dens Park, gaffer Paul Hartley added French defender Kevin Gomis at the weekend.
A lack of game time means it remains to be seen if the former Nice stopper features at Motherwell on Saturday.
If he is, there’s a chance he could be joined in the squad by fellow-countryman Lynel Kitambala.
The former Auxerre striker can operate in either the central or wide positions up front.
He got a run-out for the U/20s against Aberdeen in the Development League at Brechin on Tuesday night.
It’s still to be confirmed whether or not he will be offered a contract.
Even if he is, the Dark Blues could do more business between now and the middle of next week.
They remain interested in St Mirren midfielder Stevie Mallan, though will not stretch to the Buddies’ asking price of £250,000. Talks on that deal are likely to continue over the weekend.
The manager may also looks to finalise more loan deals, having already secured Michael Duffy from Celtic earlier in the summer.
“It’s a route we could go down and, after the window, you can still sign free agents, so that’s a possibility as well,” said Paul.
At United, a defender and a striker remain the priority and, this week, Ray McKinnon has run the rule over a couple of trialists in training. He’s been speaking to a number of players, including at least one Dutch defender.
Ray has been keeping his powder dry to see what’s available in the final few days of the window and, although there is nothing concrete, he remains confident he can get players of the quality he needs by early next week.
And although teenager Harry Souttar’s switch to Stoke City is taking longer than expected because of what is effectively no more than bureaucratic paperwork, that won’t prevent the manager doing business.
Meanwhile, peace has broken out between United and former striker Mario Bilate.
He has apologised for comments in a Dutch magazine article that saw him appear to criticise United’s medical team and the city of Dundee in general.
The club have accepted the 26-year-old’s apology and consider the matter closed.
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