Of all the transfer rumours doing the rounds, few would have expected to hear of a Hearts player heading straight for Hibs.
Last season’s Jambos number one, Zander Clark, is out of favour at the moment and hasn’t featured since August with soon-to-be 42-year-old Craig Gordon winning back his place.
Clark started the season between the sticks again but picked up a back injury and Gordon has been in place ever since.
Both goalkeepers are out of contract in the summer and Hearts boss Neil Critchley previously discussed the futures of both, hinting there would be further talks with them.
Both are Scotland internationals and the former St Johnstone shotstopper is unlikely to be happy to continue warming the bench.
It is therefore no surprise if other clubs are circling with the 32-year-old available for free in the summer, and there had been a suggestion Hibs were taking a look.
- READ MORE: Neil Critchley ‘did not recognise’ Hearts against Hibs as boss makes January transfers admission
Hibs ARE reportedly interested in Hearts’ Zander Clark
It had seemed a far-flung suggestion since players do not regularly go straight across the Edinburgh divide.
James Keatings was the last first-team player to do so when he left Hearts for Hibs in 2015 and before him there was Michael Stewart, heading to Easter Road after a loan at Tynecastle and then signing for the Jambos again after two years in Leith.
But, the Edinburgh Evening News is now reporting that the Hibees do indeed have Clark on a list of potential signings for next season.
The report states the winners of Thursday’s Edinburgh Derby have a long list of potential pre-contract signings and the man from across the city features as one of the keepers.
Goalkeeper has been a problem position for Hibs and previously identified as the most important area for improvement in January.
Josef Bursik was signed on loan from Club Brugge to be number one for the campaign but, after a series of clangers, was dropped for Jordan Smith who has since kept his place.
The offer of first-team football could appeal to Clark, although the report adds Critchley has held talks with him over his future and the 32-year-old would be open to staying put at Tynecastle if there were playing opportunities.
The Hearts boss is said to be keen to keep hold of both of his experienced goalkeepers.
In any case, Clark would be one for the summer if he did move to the Hibees.
Hibs target Rotherham’s Cameron Dawson for January transfer
That would mean Gray would need a shorter-term option in January after we revealed it was one of Hibs’ priorities.
And the same report is claiming Rotherham’s Cameron Dawson is being lined up for a loan.
The former Sheffield Wednesday man, 29, is currently number two for Steve Evans’ side and has played eight games in League One this season.