“I think it will be done, but, until his name is on a contract, I can’t say that for definite and it’s reached the stage where there is nothing more to be said until that happens,” was how Dens boss Jocky Scott put it.

Thistle, though, have acknowledged a man they were desperate to hang on to will be playing against them next term. The price will make the deal the biggest between two Scottish clubs this summer — until now that title belonged to the £115,000 the Dens men paid for Leigh Griffiths, their other big target.

Jocky, meanwhile, continues to be satisfied with how his squad are handling the first few days of pre-season work and today’s double session saw things step up a gear.

“Robert Douglas was back with us yesterday and that means everyone is doing all the work. It’s really been a warm-up so far and, today, the serious stuff started — we’ve even got the ball out now,” he said.

Having seen the squad ravaged by injury last term, this time he is leaving nothing to chance and through club physio Karen Gibson’s contact, top rugby physio Stewart Barton has been brought in.

He has examined each player to ensure their pelvises are properly aligned and given them a series of exercises to keep it that way.

“The theory is that, if the pelvis is out of alignment, there is extra strain on muscle around the body and the chances of injury increase considerably,” explained Jocky. “Stewart’s coming in three times this week, a couple of times next week and he’ll be in the week after that for a day to make sure everything is the way it should be.”

At this point, though, neither club has much to say on the matter.

“I can confirm that what you are putting to me is correct and we have had a phone call from St Johnstone about Danny Grainger,” said United boss Craig Levein.

“At this stage, it is only an enquiry and there has been no bid, so there is nothing more to say.”

That United might be willing to let the 22-year-old Englishman go is no great surprise.

Signed in January last year, his Tannadice career started promisingly, but the arrival of Paul Dixon from Dundee last summer has seen his appearances at left-back severely curtailed.

Last season, he made just 10 starts in the league and cup, and, for the player himself, the chance to get back playing regularly in the SPL with Saints is likely to be appealing.

Meanwhile, as preparations are completed for the start of pre-season training at Tannadice, there is slight concern over Spanish striker Francisco Sandaza.

He had started his training early, but, after a few runs, has been feeling his groin. As a result, he has been told to report a day earlier than the rest of his team-mates so his condition can be assessed.

“Hopefully, it’s nothing too serious, but we want him in to check. He joined us after pre-season last year and I don’t want him missing out on the hard work again,” said Craig.

Meanwhile, Andy Jackson, on the comeback trail from a serious Achilles tendon injury, is progressing.

Saints players were today put through a double training session, with manager Derek McInnes happy with the way his squad is shaping up.