Dundee have been linked with an ambitious move for Sunderland’s David Moberg Karlsson.
The Swedish under-19 star joined the Black Cats on a four-year deal from IFK Gothenburg last summer for a transfer fee believed to be around £1.5 million.
However, the winger has struggled to break into the first team at the Stadium of Light with his sole appearance coming in August in the Capital One Cup when he was handed a start in a 4-2 victory over MK Dons.
The youngster has been playing regularly for Sunderland’s under-20 side but manager Gus Poyet is keen for Karlsson to develop through regular first-team football.
That has put him on Dundee’s radar although it is understood the Dark Blues would have to rely on Sunderland heavily subsidising the player’s wages if he were to join them on loan.
Another Sunderland youngster, George Honeyman, is also a possible signing for Dark Blues boss John Brown after impressing in a trial match last week.
The attacking midfielder has been with the Wearside club since he was 10 years old and is a regular for the Black Cats’ youth side.
Dundee are determined to bolster their squad in the transfer window with former boss Archie Knox scouting a range of targets down south while, nearer home, Brown snapped up former Rangers, Norwich and Aberdeen midfielder Stephen Hughes from East Fife earlier this week.
The club are also still weighing up whether to offer a deal to ex-Hearts striker Christian Nade, who has been training with the club for the last three weeks.