QPR are set to launch a double swoop on Dundee United after adding Ryan Gauld to their wanted list.

The London millionaires were at Tannadice on Saturday to look at Andrew Robertson, Gary Mackay-Steven and, in particular, John Souttar.

They’re willing to match Sunderland’s £600,000 offer for him and loan him back to United for the rest of the season.

Now they could double that deal by adding cash for 17-year-old Gauld.

That’s a result of their scout being blown away by his performance against Kilmarnock, when boss Jackie McNamara described some of his play as being “light years ahead” of others on the pitch.

While Jackie remains relaxed about the speculation about all his young players and views it as a compliment to the progress they’re making, his strong advice to them is to stay where they are for another couple of seasons.

If acceptable offers are made, United will not stand in the way of any player who wants to move to a bigger league but they do not have to sell and their preferred option is for their young talent to hang around for a few years yet.

“I do see it as a good thing because it shows we have good players here, but they are our players and I want to keep them.

“And, right now, it remains no more than speculation.”

Jackie’s biggest concern right now when it comes to young players is the number who are away on international duty.

Souttar, Gauld, Aidan Connolly and Darren Petrie are away with the U/19s in Belarus, while Stuart Armstrong and Robertson are on U/21 duty.

They face Slovenia in Paisley on Thursday then face a trip to Georgia early next week.

“They’ve a few games and a lot of travelling to do between them all and you just want them back fit at the end of it all.”

Meanwhile, Sunderland’s intentions regarding Souttar could become clearer over the next few days after Gus Poyet’s appointment as manager at the Stadium of Light.

While their bid has been handled by staff at Academy level, it’s likely he’ll review the proposed deal and decide their next step.