Speaking after yesterday's 1-0 Clydesdale Bank Premier League win over Hearts, United boss Peter Houston revealed a deal was close.

"I'm led to believe he's just about there with Blackburn," said Houston, who knew nothing of reported fresh bids from SPL champions Rangers.

"I just spoke briefly to the chairman and he says it's almost there and it could happen tomorrow. It's getting there."

Goodwillie was left out of the squad at Tynecastle after United and Rovers agreed a fee - believed to be £2million up front, another £800,000 of potential add-ons and a sell-on clause.

Houston believes Rovers are getting value for money in Goodwillie, citing the recent switch made by Connor Wickham from Ipswich to Sunderland as the type of money the striker could have commanded. Sunderland paid an initial £8.1million fee.

The United boss added: "If he'd been playing in England in the Championship the way he has been playing in the SPL, a Premier League club would probably have paid more money.

"I think they've got a bargain."

Goodwillie scored 19 goals for United last season and made his Scotland debut in a friendly win over the Faroe Islands in November.

The striker's Scotland career was put on hold after he was charged with a serious sexual assault in January, but the charge was dropped last week because of insufficient evidence.

That development sparked increased activity on the transfer front for Goodwillie, who has two years left on his Tannadice contract.

He now looks likely to move to Ewood Park, unless Rangers can make an 11th-hour attempt to recruit the striker.

Due to Goodwillie's off-field issues, Houston advised the striker to move away from Scotland and it was advice he repeated.

Houston, who is a Glaswegian, added: "In normal circumstances, David Goodwillie, Rangers or Blackburn - there's only one decision I would make in my opinion.

"Rangers are a massive club and Rangers are a bigger club than Blackburn in my opinion.

"But the reason I said David should get away out of the road is because of his off-field problems and I still say that."