Lawrence Shankland Hearts transfer latest as two English clubs ‘engage’ and left-field move ‘can’t be ruled out’.
Lawrence Shankland’s future is uncertain as his contract with Hearts nears the end.
It was predicted that the 29-year-old would go after a prior deal with the Jambos went unsigned, with CEO Andrew McKinlay conceding that a split was likely this summer. However, manager Neil Critchley indicated that negotiations will take place with Shankland and the club’s other out-of-contract players, implying that an exit was not as likely as previously anticipated. The Scotland striker also spoke up, stating that negotiations will take place while keeping ambiguous about whether he would stay or leave.Shankland had attention from Turkey in January but ultimately stayed put, implying that any move would now take place in the summer if no new agreement is reached.
Shankland Hearts update as Ipswich and Sunderland interested
Throughout his tenure at Hearts, the number nine has been linked with Rangers, who are thought to have expressed interest but have yet to make a formal offer. The Tynecastle club slapped a £5 million price tag on his head last summer (Daily Record), which may have put teams off, with his value to his current club maybe boosted by the prize money for reaching Europe and the value of his goals in getting there. In addition to Rangers, there has been interest from down south and Saudi Arabia.
Transfer analyst Graeme Bailey of HITC Football and TBR Football has provided us with an update on the current situation, which includes two English clubs negotiating with Shankland’s representatives. He told Not the Old Firm: “Lawrence Shankland is letting his representatives handle the off-field issues; he is not going to let anything come in the way of finishing the season and his tenure at Hearts. “Shankland was sought in Turkey in January, but he preferred to travel in the summer. “But clubs are vying for him now; they may speak with his representatives, and I’m told Ipswich and Sunderland are two of several clubs interested in working with him.
“A prospective move to Saudi Arabia cannot be ruled out; we have seen how well someone like Jack Hendry has performed in the Middle East, and he may follow his Scottish teammate, albeit I am told a move to England appeals to him. But nothing has been decided just yet.”
What Shankland has said on Hearts future
Shankland recently told the Edinburgh Evening News: “I believe it will be the case with everyone who is out of contract, and it will come to a point in the season when conversations about whether you’re staying or leaving, as well as the club’s plans for the future, will be necessary.” “I wouldn’t read too much into it, but I believe the talks will occur at some point. I believe we will prioritise getting this week out of the way before dealing with that.” When asked if he was open to staying in Gorgie, Shankland replied, “I’ve never said I wouldn’t stay. They offered me a contract in January 2024, which was a long time ago.
“We haven’t really talked about it since, and we’ve just gotten on with things. At the time, the club and I were at ease with the situation and accepted that whatever happened would happen. “We will see. It’s at that point; there’s nothing deep about it. We’ll just see what happens from here.”
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