Barry Anderson shares Lawrence Shankland verdict as ‘attractive option’ emerges amid Rangers links
Barry Anderson has admitted that the chance to move as a free agent in the summer of 2025 may be an “attractive option” for Lawrence Shankland, as he continues to be linked with a transfer to Rangers.
The Light Blues are reportedly still likely to attempt to sign the Hearts forward this month, despite sealing a deal for Fabio Silva as Philippe Clement looks to strengthen his forward line for the second half of the campaign [The Fourth Official, 28 December].
However, National World journalist Anderson has suggested that there is still a chance the 28-year-old could extend his stay at Tynecastle as he remains happy at Hearts and it would take a “huge fee” to bring him to Ibrox.
Writing on his personal X account (4 January) he said: “Always a chance depending on the offer. He’s happy at Hearts & isn’t thinking too far ahead. Would take a huge fee to move him this month.
“Needs to make sure he keeps playing & scoring regularly to make Euro 2024. Free agent in 18 months is an attractive option when he’ll be 29.”
Attractive option
It feels like Shankland’s future at Hearts remains completely up in the air as we enter the early stages of the January transfer window. There is plenty of speculation surrounding his future and a lot of interest in his services, but little indication a move is close.
Everyone in the footballing world knows that it will take a huge fee for him to move away from Hearts this January, but that hasn’t stopped speculation from snowballing which would suggest that teams may be willing to foot the bill for his services.
However, with Euro 2024 on the horizon, convincing Shankland may be a bit harder than initially expected, especially if he is as happy as reported at Hearts. He may believe that moving as a free agent next summer could be better for his career.
Whether the Gers would still be interested in his services that far down the line remains to be seen. It does feel however as though this deal will never be completed if it doesn’t happen before the end of January.
In other Rangers news, the Gers have to ready a move for Kai Wagner after updates emerged over Ridvan Yilmaz’s Ibrox future