Louis Moult a Dundee United transfer target as Jim Goodwin closes in on former Motherwell star

Dundee United are closing in on a deal for Louis Moult as Jim Goodwin looks to add some firepower to his Championship squad.

The Terrors are reeling from a Viaplay Cup defeat to Spartans where a lack of a clinical edge in front of goal ultimately cost them. Tony Watt missed a penalty and that came Goodwin said before the game he wanted another striker to rival Watt and give him another option in front of goal. Record Sport can reveal Moult is the man they want and the Arabs are zeroing in on a free transfer for the former Motherwell hitman.

Moult scored 50 goals in 90 appearances at Fir Park but his career since hasn't gone to plan. Eight in 40 for Preston North End preceded a move to Burton Albion in 2021 and after struggling with injury and form there, he returned to Motherwell for the first half of last season. He scored in the 3-2 defeat to Hearts but injury reared its head again and he was released by Burton in the summer.

But now United are ready to give the 31-year-old another crack at Scottish football and hope he can boost their Championship promotion chances. Speaking on his transfer plan before the defeat to Spartans, Goodwin said: "We're pretty much sorted in the defensive areas. In midfield we're very strong with some great options and in the wide areas, we've got four players that can play on either side. It's the number nine area we're still a little bit short.

"We've got Tony Watt who we're delighted is back only eight weeks after an operation, so he'll lead the line today but we need another one. If we get that one then I'll be very satisfied with the squad we've got."