Ray McKinnon is looking for a powerful striker in the Edward Ofere mould to add muscle to the Dundee United attack next season.
The Tangerines boss has admitted the big Nigerian, who scored three goals in four starts right at the end of the last campaign, was a player he might have tried to keep at Tannadice.
But he was not prepared to break his budget to do that.
Now he’s backing himself to unearth someone at least as good for a more reasonable price.
“I probably would have taken a gamble on Edward Ofere but he was on more money than I have to spend and I feel I can get someone else for much less who will be as good,” said Ray.
“That is the type of striker I am looking to add but it has to be within our budget.”
He’s already spoken to contacts about a foreign striker who’s been recommended and a move for him could be firmed up in the next week or so.
Talks with an experienced British goalkeeper are also continuing and United also appear to be edging closer to securing Ross County midfielder Stewart Murdoch.
Those last two deals are why the manager cancelled a family break in Spain that was scheduled for the end of this week and at least one of them could be over the line by the weekend.
Meanwhile, ex-Tangerine Robbie Muirhead is interesting Hearts.
Signed for £150,000 from Kilmarnock in January last year, his contract at Tannadice was cancelled by mutual consent at the end of April.
English Championship outfits Brighton and Birmingham City have also been showing an interest in the 20-year-old who spent part of last term on loan at Partick Thistle.
This article originally appeared on the Evening Telegraph website. For more information, read about our new combined website.