Lawrence Shankland has indicated that negotiations with Hearts over a new contract have been postponed until the summer, so Rangers will need to be vigilant.
At the beginning of the year, Hearts began negotiations with their captain on new terms, which was in line with the Gers’ strong rumored interest.
But in an interview with PLZ Soccer on April 30, Shankland hinted that there was a deadlock and that in the three months that followed, nothing had been discussed.
Hearts’ most recent contract with Lawrence Shankland
In response to a question regarding his future plans, he stated, “The contract talks have obviously stopped.” “They ceased in January or so.
After talking it over, we agreed to go on and evaluate it in the summer. We’re at that point, and everyone is at ease.
It’s likely that discussions will take place in the summer. As I approach the final year of my contract, rumors about me are constantly circulating.
“I’m comfortable with the position and the club as they are right now, but there will come a time when conversations will need to be had.”
It’s unclear just how “comfortable” Hearts will be considering that, come June, Shankland will enter the last 12 months of his contract.
Hearts’ January valuation is unknown, but considering that this is their final major opportunity to sell him, it will be far less this summer.
On Cyriel Dessers, Rangers can advance
Naturally, the club may be obliged to sell him even though they don’t want to because they know he can leave for free in 2025.
Though other players have stepped up, Cyriel Dessers has generally had a good first season at Ibrox, and the Gers could need another forward.
And not just any forward, but one who has consistently knocked them in for Hearts, been there, done it, and worn the t-shirt.
One could legitimately argue that the Light Blues would not be trailing Celtic at the moment if Shankland had arrived in January.
Rangers must pursue Shankland in the summer, regardless of whether there was interest at the beginning of the season.
Furthermore, now is the ideal time for the club to move since negotiations over a new contract have been put on hold until the window opens.
