Tony Watt is bound for Dundee United.
The only question is: when?
The in-form Motherwell marksman is understood to have verbally agreed a pre-contract with the Tannadice outfit as United seek to finally fill the boots of Lawrence Shankland.
Indeed, United are pursuing a deal to bring Watt to Tayside next month.
Only rock-bottom St Johnstone (11) have scored fewer goals than United’s 16 in the Premiership this term. Ian Harkes and centre-back Ryan Edwards are the club’s top scorers in the league with three apiece.
What a goal this is from Tony Watt!pic.twitter.com/JCuxHtevSK
— John McGinley (@jhnmcgnly) November 30, 2021
As such, Watt’s impending arrival has prompted much fanfare on Tannadice Street.
But how does he compare to the Premiership’s other marquee marksmen in a host of vital categories? Courier Sport crunches the numbers.
Prolific
Starting with the obvious, Watt is the top scorer in the Premiership this term with nine, one ahead of Rangers star Alfredo Morelos, Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi and Christian Ramirez of Aberdeen.
The 28-year-old has the benefit of being a near automatic pick for the Steelmen, with only Ramirez and Martin Boyle playing more minutes among the seven most prolific attackers.
Nevertheless, Watt’s ratio of a goal every 177 minutes stands up to scrutiny, bettering Morelos, Ramirez and Boyle.
Accuracy
Watt’s accuracy this term has been laudable.
Despite taking the joint third-fewest shots among the top-flight’s Magnificent Seven, his tally of 21 shots on target is only behind Morelos (23).
And the Colombian took 79 pops at goal to reach that number compared to Watt’s 36.
Watt’s instinctive ability to test the goalkeeper when given half a chance is exactly what United have been crying out for since the departure of arch-predator Shankland to Beerschot.
Hot streak
Watt is in the form of his life in terms of clinical finishing.
His xG [expected goals] — a measurement of the likelihood of a chance being converted — stands at 6.6 for the campaign, meaning he is outperforming expectations by 2.5.
Only his Motherwell teammate Kevin van Veen is belying the stats to the same extent, with an xG difference of 2.8.
Watt’s conversion rate also stands at a remarkable 25 per cent, with only Kyogo more deadly with a sight of goal.
Providing Dundee United can provide the Scotland international with the service, it is patently clear that he has the form and ability to ripple the net with regularity.
Discussing United’s need for an attacking edge recently, boss Tam Courts said: “I’ve been speaking to the club in terms of what we need in reinforcements in January.
“We would like to strengthen up the pitch in terms of creativity and in goalscoring.
“I would like to think we can bring someone in during January or at the end of the season.”
