Dundee United kid Harry Souttar is set to move to Stoke City before the end of the week in a six-figure deal.

And some of the cash received for him will be available to manager Ray McKinnon to strengthen his first team.

Stoke have been chasing the highly-rated 17-year-old all summer and June saw United knock back two bids from them.

But they’ve been back in touch over the past few days and remain determined to land the Scotland youth international.

So far the clubs have not agreed a price but they are now very close to shaking hands on a deal.

And it’s understood Souttar himself is keen to go and has made that clear to the Tangerines.

Three years ago his older brother, John, turned down a move to Sunderland after United had accepted a £600,000 bid.

He later regretted that decision and by the time he went to Hearts in January was desperate to move on.

Now the younger sibling is keen to kick-start a career in England as soon as possible.

His manager is already on record as saying that, while he would like to hang on to Souttar, if a big offer that led to him being able to add more experienced defenders to his squad came in, it could be accepted.

And it’s clear he does not feel the talented kid is quite ready for a regular place in his starting line-up.

Souttar did start the League Cup opener at Arbroath last month but has been on the bench since.

For United, that makes this deal a case of putting the needs of now before potential.

Ray has been working hard on bringing in an experienced defender as well as another striker and the cash from Stoke could push the deals he has in mind over the line.