St Johnstone hope to be active in the January transfer window with manager Simo Valakari set to stamp his own authority on the squad.
The Perth Saintees are rooted to the bottom of the Scottish Premiership table and know they need fresh impetus in the playing staff in a bid to push up the division to avoid a relegation battle.
Valakari was brought in to replace Craig Levein back in October so has not had the opportunity, as yet, to strengthen.
But Not the Old Firm can exclusively reveal Valakari is looking to bring in an attacking midfielder to add to his firepower.
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Sources in the Netherlands have told NTOF that free agent Jean-Paul Boetius is one attacker St Johnstone are looking to bring to McDiarmid Park this window.
It is understood the former Feyenoord and Mainz man is open to a switch to Scottish football and he could make the decision in the coming days.
The 30-year-old has been without a club for over a year having previously held talks with Eredivisie club Willem II earlier this month.
The former Oranje international – who has one cap – was also handed a trial with Robin van Persie’s Heerenveen back in October but he was unfortunate in that it did not lead to a deal.
St Johnstone have scheduled talks with Jean-Paul Boetius
Boetius is a versatile playmaker and can also play on the wings which would suit St Johnstone in what they aim to do this term.
It is believed Valakari wants to bolster a number of different positions within the club both across the backline and in attacking areas.
Calvin Ramsay is one player who has been linked as they seek right-back competition.
Boetius won the Swiss Super League with FC Basel in his earlier career and has been maintaining his fitness in training with Jong Feyenoord in his homeland.
Simo Valakari needs to add signings to push up the Premiership
He has twice battled cancer in his life before declaring he was “clean” on social media to the delight of the football world for one of their own.
St Johnstone need more goals with just 23 scored in the league from 21 matches.
They are five points behind their closest rivals at the bottom, Hearts.
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