Hearts open to offers for Middlesbrough, Hull, and Southampton January target | OneFootball

Hearts are reportedly willing to listen to offers for Lawrence Shankland this summer.

According to the Edinburgh News, the Premiership side is considering cashing in on the forward for the right price.

Shankland has enjoyed an impressive campaign in the Scottish top flight, contributing 21 goals and four assists from 34 appearances so far (all stats from Fbref).

However, he has just 12 months remaining on his current contract, meaning this summer could be Hearts’ last chance to cash in on the forward.

The 28-year-old joined the club in the summer of 2022 from Belgian side Beerschot, scoring a total of 45 league goals from 71 appearances.

Hearts set Lawrence Shankland transfer stance

A number of Championship sides were linked with an interest in Shankland during the previous January transfer window.

The likes of Hull City, Southampton and Middlesbrough were all mentioned as potential next destinations for the forward.

However, the trio of second tier sides also potentially face competition from the likes of Everton, Burnley, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace.

Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic were also keeping an eye on the player, but it remains to be seen whether any of these clubs will reignite their interest in the upcoming summer window.

Hearts set an asking price of £5 million for Shankland during the winter market, which nobody was willing to meet.

It is thought that it will still take around that figure to convince Hearts to cash in on the striker this summer.

Otherwise, Hearts could risk keeping him and attempt to open talks over a new deal to extend his stay beyond 2025.

If no agreement is reached then Hearts risk losing him for nothing in 12 months’ time, as he would be a free agent.

It remains to be seen whether the £5 million asking price is a figure any of these aforementioned clubs would be willing to match right now.

Shankland’s Championship options

Sheffield United will be returning to the Championship next season with the aim of going straight back up, so could eye a move for Shankland to add goals back into the team.

Hull and Middlesbrough will also be in the mix for the top six having narrowly missed out this year by coming seventh and eighth.

Someone of Shankland’s quality could be what either side needs to bridge the gap to the play-off and automatic promotion places.

Meanwhile, Southampton may well be in the Premier League themselves as Russell Martin’s side is set to compete in the play-offs in the coming weeks.

Shankland would be a promising signing

Shankland has proven himself a consistent goalscorer and has performed at a high level in Scotland.

A move to the Premier League would be enticing, but it remains to be seen if he is quite ready for that step up in level just yet.

Signing for a Championship side might be the best step to guarantee regular game time, and ensure he continues performing at a high standard.

Somewhere like Middlesbrough or Hull could be an ideal next move as both sides have the ambition to be competing for promotion to the Premier League, where he could prove quite a useful addition.