Kilmarnock are said to have rejected a transfer offer for Danny Armstrong.
The Killie winger is in demand as his contract is set to expire at the end of the season and clubs are keen to pounce to snap him up for free.
Hearts are one those and have held talks with Armstrong over what would be a “long-term” deal for the 27-year-old.
Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes had previously all but confirmed the player would be leaving his club after they resigned themselves to the fact he wouldn’t be signing a new deal.
And McInnes addressed the Jambos link, insisting he hadn’t heard anything from the Edinburgh side.
Hearts manager Neil Critchley was also asked about Armstrong and remained coy, but didn’t rule anything in or out.
The Jambos are seeking a winger in the January window and are also in talks with Kazakhstan international Islam Chesnokov, as first revealed by Not the Old Firm.
And if they want Armstrong too, it looks like they are going to face competition.
Kilmarnock reject Armstrong offer
That’s because the Killie Chronicle is reporting the Ayrshire men have knocked back a January bid for the creative wide man.
That offer has not come from Tynecastle but overseas, according to the report.
With just months left on his deal now would be the last chance for Kilmarnock to cash in but they clearly feel having him for the rest of the campaign is worth more than whatever cash was on the table.
McInnes had previously said any interested club wanting to take Armstrong now would have to stump up and it wouldn’t be an easy deal.
Killie offered him improved terms but he made it clear he wanted to consider his options amid all of the interest in him.
Bolton in England’s League One were previously in the mix and had a £400,000 offer turned down last summer.
Armstrong is a previous Kilmarnock player of the year but hasn’t quite lived up to that this campaign amid the uncertainty around his future. They’re still keen to ensure they don’t give him up lightly.
Hearts had held Armstrong talks
Hearts had already held talks with Armstrong about a potential pre-contract agreement which would see him swap Premiership clubs in the summer.
It was said at the time though that no agreement had been reached and it could take weeks for the situation to be resolved.
The Jambos are very active in the transfer market as they look to heavily strengthen for both this window and the summer.
Austrian defender Michael Steinwender looks set to be become Hearts’ latest signing after a fee was agreed ahead of the player flying into Scotland.