Dundee United are lining up a stunning summer move for Scotland centre-back Stuart Findlay.

Courier Sport can reveal that the Kilmarnock defender is a transfer target for the Tangerines, who are willing to spend a substantial fee to get Findlay out of Rugby Park.

The 24-year-old will only have one year left on his contract at the end of this season.

That United feel they have a chance of getting him is a big signal of intent for their imminent return to the top flight.

Findlay came through the youth system at Celtic and had loan spells at Dumbarton, Morton and Killie.

He then got a move to Newcastle United before returning to Scotland and making a name for himself under Steve Clarke in Ayrshire.

After playing for his country at under-16, under 17, under-19 and under-21 levels, Findlay earned his first senior cap in the October win against San Marino at Hampden after being a regular squad member. He scored one of Scotland’s six goals that day.

He was linked with a £500,000 move to England last summer but United would hope to pay significantly less than that given there will only be 12 months left on his current deal with Killie.