Shankland to exit Hearts as contract talks break down
Lawrence Shankland looks set to leave Hearts after talks over a new contract broke down.
Shankland's deal at Tynecastle had expired at the end of last season but the club had been hopeful of keeping their star striker.
Indeed, given the positive talks between new boss Derek McInnes and the player himself, there was optimism of Shankland extending his stay.
McInnes made no secret of his desire to keep the former PFA Scotland Player of the Year and had held more discussions with the 29-year-old earlier this week.
But Mail Sport understands those talks have now broken down, with Shankland not travelling with Hearts to their pre-season camp in Spain yesterday.
Whilst keen to keep hold of the striker, McInnes made it clear that Hearts couldn't wait forever in terms of a decision being made.
Mail Sport understands the difference between what Shankland wanted and what the board were willing to offer was minimal, but Hearts have been unwilling to budge.
A source close to Shankland said: 'Lawrence wanted to continue at Hearts but unfortunately the chief executive Andrew McKinlay doesn't share the same ambitions that he has for the club.'
McKinlay, who publicly admitted making the mistake of appointing doomed previous manager Neil Critchley without meeting him in person, is eager to make amends with new manager McInnes. But it now looks likely that the club will have to move forward and start afresh without their main goalscorer.
It is expected that Hearts and McInnes will now ramp up their search for a new No 9 over the coming weeks.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
39 minutes ago
- BBC News
'What's not to get excited about?' - your views on 'real deal' Nygren
We asked you for your views after Benjamin Nygren signed a five-year deal with what some of you said:Gordy: A good signing and hopefully just the start - we need cover all over the pitch. Centre back, right and left-back cover is essential and a goal-scoring centre forward, while holding onto to what we have, unless a massive offer comes in that will help buy other players. We need to show more ambition in the transfer market this season to be successful at home and in Nygren scored a hat-trick against Fenerbahce in Europe, and is obviously a very good What's not to get excited about? Another Scandinavian with a clear determination to advance his career and full of positivity. I've seen him play for Sweden and he has bags of energy and drive. Almost looks like he's a mini Daizen, but let's not burden the boy with too much The signing of Nygren could turn out to be a very shrewd piece of business. He appears to be a player on an upward path and with the guidance of Brendan Rodgers, we can hopefully continue his progression. If we can get two/three good seasons out of him then we could end up with a £30m+ asset. Either way it certainly looks like £1.5m well Nygren looks like the real deal. It's difficult to make one's mind up based on highlight reels, right enough. He is saying the right things in the media, regarding his winning mentality, his experience and what he thinks will be expected of him while wearing the hoops. I just hope he has the longevity to do it season after season, on a cold wet Wednesday night in the north east of Scotland!
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Mulligan 'will thrive' at Hibs, but does this end Triantis talk?
We asked you for your views after Josh Mulligan signed a four-year deal with what you said:Laurence: I'm loving the way that Hibs are quietly going out their business.A solid looking back-up 'keeper, Rocky [Bushiri] re-signed for three years and now Josh Mulligan who caught the eye last season with we can get Nectar Triantis over the line too, then the new season looks very positive for to David Gray and Malky Brilliant signing .Good young Scottish talent with good experience at a young age. He will thrive at Great signing of an excellent player and I think we can forget about Triantis, we cannot compete with the fee or wages involved in any So far, so good. Reasonable signings. Let's get a good centre-half now and enter the fray. It's time to get up there and offer a serious Very good signing who will add strength to an already very good squad. Hopefully Hibs push on and put a stronger challenge to the Old Firm next Looks like a brilliant signing. A very versatile player who can play in multiple positions, so it will be very interesting to see how he settles in. 😄
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Kinghorn helps Toulouse win Top 14 final before joining Lions
Scotland's Blair Kinghorn sealed his second Top 14 title with Toulouse before he sets off to join the British and Irish Lions squad touring 28-year-old started on the left wing at the Stade de France and played all 100 minutes in a thrilling final against Bordeaux Ramos kicked two extra-time penalties for a 39-33 success to seal a third successive crown for Toulouse - and a record-extending 24th full-back Ramos slotted 24 points in an absorbing game in the sweltering Paris tries came from Jack Willis (2) and Anthony Jelonch, with Damian Penaud, Matthieu Jalibert and Guido Petti touching down for lock Jonny Gray featured as a very late replacement for the runners-up in an epic encounter.
