Lawrence Shankland is poised to sign a new three-year contract with Hearts, handing the club a huge boost ahead of the new season.
Whilst it has not yet been formally agreed, Hearts have been locked in talks with Shankland’s camp over recent days and both sides are increasingly hopeful that a deal can now be struck.
Shankland looked certain to leave the Tynecastle club this summer after rejecting several offers over the past year.
With his old contract expiring at the end of last season, he was attracting interest from clubs in Turkey as well as the English Championship.
The 29-year-old striker, who has scored 68 goals across the last three seasons at Hearts and was crowned PFA Scotland Player of the Year in 2024, did not travel to the club’s pre-season training camp in Spain.
Lawrence Shankland now looks set to stay at Hearts after a breakthrough in talks
Derek McInnes has made clear that he wanted the Scotland striker to remain at the club
But Mail Sport understands Shankland was likely to book a flight and head out on Wednesday night due to the breakthrough in negotiations.
It will be a huge boost to Derek McInnes, who has made no secret of his desire to keep Shankland since taking the job earlier this summer.
Speaking earlier this week, McInnes said: ‘I’ve made it clear Lawrence is one that I really want for us and to do all we can to make it work.
‘I believe the club have put their best foot forward and it’s a strong offer. As I saidlast week, it’s a strong offer.
‘It’s not a ‘no’ in its entirety because we’re not ruling it out, but the fact he’s not here, we can’t rule him in, and I wanted him to be ruled in by now.
‘The fact that he isn’t here would suggest that it’s becoming a bit more difficult to make that happen.
‘From a football point of view, I’ve said about how beneficial Lawrence would be for us and how much we’re really keen to get him.
‘I have made it clear, Lawrence is a boy I want to work with. I’m well used to it in my career, not getting everything I want.
‘But I would love the opportunity for Lawrence to be with us this season and while we still have a chance, we’ll hang on to that.’
Although it looked like there was an impasse on both sides as recently as a last weekend, the expected U-turn will see Shankland turn down big-money offers from elsewhere.
He has made it clear to the club’s hierarchy that he is settled at the club and would ideally prefer to stay if possible.
