Hearts are set to complete their fifth January signing on transfer deadline day.
It emerged yesterday that the Jambos were far down the line in negotiations for Partick Thistle left-back Harry Milne.
The 28-year-old has been a standout in the Championship for Thistle and has attracted interest from other Premiership clubs. He will be coming in to provide back-up and competition for James Penrice.
It will be the first time the former Cove Rangers defender has played in the top flight but he has long been considered ready for the step up.
With Andres Salazar’s loan from Atletico Nacional cut short, Stephen Kingsley out injured for months and Kye Rowles departed for DC United, the Jambos were a little light on left-sided defenders.
Milne was identified as someone who could come in and provide experienced cover.
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Milne to undergo Hearts medical as fee agreed
The Daily Record is now reporting that a five-figure fee has been agreed between the two clubs and the player will head to Edinburgh to complete a medical.
On top of the fee paid, Hearts left-back Ethan Drysdale, 19, will head in the other direction on a loan until the end of the season.
Thistle had already allowed Charlie Sayers to leave this month so were in need of a replacement at left-back as it was.
Drysdale was someone namechecked by Hearts boss Neil Critchley as a first-team candidate but it has been decided a loan is currently best for his development.
Will Hearts do anything else on transfer deadline day?
Milne will become Hearts’ fifth January signing after fellow defenders Jamie McCart and Michael Steinwender, midfielder Sander Kartum and striker Elton Kabangu.
McCart and particularly Kabangu have had huge impacts on the team while the others are being drip fed in as they get their march sharpness up.
It has been no secret the club have wanted to get a new winger in and held talks with Kilmarnock’s Danny Armstrong and Kazakhstan star Islam Chesnokov.
Nothing appears to have progressed with those two and it remains to be seen if Critchley will get his wide man.
Exits are also possible with interest in out-of-favour Hearts duo Barrie McKay and Yutaro Oda as well as Jorge Grant, who was left out of the squad for Saturday’s 6-0 trouncing of Dundee.