Dundee United hope to sign Motherwell and Scotland defender Declan Gallagher.

The stopper is out of contract this summer but is just a handful of appearances away from triggering an automatic extension at Fir Park.

United, though, would love to add the international to their ranks and Herald and Times Sport understands they would hope to take him to Tannadice.

For any transfer to be done this month, United would have to pay a fee. But it is believed they would be willing to sort a pre-contract for the player.

Gallagher, 29, has been linked with Celtic in recent weeks with the struggling champions needing cover at centre-half following Christopher Jullien's knee injury.

It is also understood Aberdeen are keen on a move for Gallagher and there is serious interest down south from the likes of QPR and Cardiff.

New Motherwell boss Graham Alexander recently hinted he wants to keep Gallagher at the club but claimed he had not yet managed to discuss new deals with players since joining.