- EXCLUSIVE with Graeme Bailey
Lawrence Shankland’s future remains up in the air with his Hearts contract entering the final months.
It had been expected the 29-year-old would move on after a previous deal on offer from the Jambos went unsigned, with CEO Andrew McKinlay admitting his hunch was for a parting of the ways this summer.
But manager Neil Critchley insisted talks would take place with Shankland and the club’s other out-of-contract stars, hinting that an exit wasn’t as inevitable as first thought.
The Scotland striker had his say too and reiterated that discussions would be held, while remaining coy on the question of staying or going.
Shankland had interest from Turkey in January but ended up staying put meaning any move would now come in the summer if no new deal is agreed.
Shankland Hearts update as Ipswich and Sunderland interested
Throughout his time at Hearts, the number nine has been regularly linked to Rangers who it is believed have held some level of interest while not seeming to follow through with anything concrete.
The Tynecastle side slapped a £5million price tag on his head last summer (Daily Record) and that may have put teams off, his worth to his current club perhaps inflated by the prize money for reaching Europe and the value of his goals in getting there.
As well as Rangers, there has also been interest from down south and in Saudi Arabia.
Transfer expert Graeme Bailey, of HITC Football and TBR Football, has given us an insight into the current situation with two English clubs among those engaging with Shankland’s representatives.
He told Not the Old Firm: “Lawrence Shankland is letting his representatives handle the off-field stuff, he is not going to let that get in the way as he finishes the season and his time with Hearts.
“Shankland was wanted in Turkey in January but that did not happen, he was always minded to wait until the summer to move.
“But clubs are battling for him now, they can talk to his people and I am told both Ipswich and Sunderland are amongst a number of clubs to engage with him.
“A potential move to Saudi Arabia can’t be ruled out, we have seen how well someone like Jack Hendry has done in the Middle East and he could follow his Scottish team-mate, although I am told a move to England does appeal to him. But nothing has been decided as yet.”
What Shankland has said on Hearts future
Shankland recently told the Edinburgh Evening News: “I think it will be the situation with everybody who is out of contract, and it gets to a stage in the season where conversations do need to be had – whether you’re staying or you’re going and the club’s plans for the future.
“I wouldn’t read into it too much, but I imagine the conversations will happen at some point. I think we’ll be looking to get this week out of the way first and deal with that.”
Asked if he was open to staying in Gorgie, Shankland went on: “I’ve never said that I wouldn’t stay. They offered me a contract in January 2024, so that’s a long time ago.
“We’ve not really spoken about it since and we’ve just got on with things. At the time, the club and myself were comfortable with the situation going forward and whatever happens, happens.
“We’ll see. It’s at that point – there’s nothing too deep about it. We’ll just see what happens going forward.”