Hearts open talks for new Lawrence Shankland contract as Rangers want January transfer
Hearts have officially opened talks with Lawrence Shankland over a new contract as they look to fend off interest from Rangers this month, according to Edinburgh News.
Writing on their website (13 January), the news outlet report that the Edinburgh club have moved to tie their star man down to a long-term deal.
Rangers have been keen to add him to the squad at Ibrox this month but Hearts have “no intention” of allowing him to leave this month unless they receive an offer they can’t refuse worth several millions of pounds.
“With Rangers and a number of English Championship clubs monitoring his progress, Hearts want to tie Shankland down on a longer contract,” they wrote.
“Talks are expected to continue over the coming weeks. Hearts have no intention of selling Shankland during the current transfer window as they look to cement third place in the Premiership between now and May.
“The only way that would change is if they receive an offer they cannot refuse – and that would need to total several million pounds.”
Ouch
If Shankland has any sense and is serious about wanting to move to Ibrox for the prime years of his career then he won’t sign that deal.
Currently he is 28 years old and preparing for the final big contract of his career, and despite having less than 18 months remaining on his deal Hearts want a huge fee to let him leave.
So by signing a new deal he is essentially confirming that he plans to retire at Hearts, because nobody would be able to give them the money they want when his contract situation isn’t so precarious.
Rangers must be prepared to move on to other targets if this is the situation, because the club can’t afford to put all their eggs in one basket and then be left disappointed and have no alternatives.
It’s a blow to the plans for sure, but if Philippe Clement and the board are prepared then it should not be a big enough deterrent to get a deal done or bring a forward in.
In other Rangers news, Koppen makes checks as Gers want to sign “Excellent” midfielder.