Should Hearts’ Shankland stay or should he go?

Heart of Midlothian will be visiting Spain this weekend for their pre-season training camp, just two weeks before their opening game of the new season against Dunfermline Athletic on July 12.

One name of the traveling group’s absence is obvious: talismanic striker Lawrence Shankland, whose contract with the club expires at the end of the month.

Since Hearts brought Shankland back to Scotland in 2022, he has established himself as one of the most dependable goalscorers in the Scottish top flight.

That type of behavior, along with Shankland’s contract situation, contributes to the Scotland international’s long-standing rumors. There is no evidence of a Rangers move being discussed, and West Bromwich Albion’s connections appear to have waned.

Derek McInnes, the head coach of the New Hearts, has made no secret of his desire to keep Shankland in Gorgie and agree to a new deal, with player-to-club discussions ongoing.

After Brighton and Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom agreed to purchase a 29% stake in the Edinburgh club for £9.86 million, there is rife of optimism among Hearts supporters.

Both McInnes and Hearts supporters should be optimistic about Shankland’s lack of clarity regarding his departure.

Will Shankland sign on the dotted line to work with the club’s new team manager, even though McInnes is obviously and understandably excited about the possibility of working with the 29-year-old?

Hearts will hope that their star man will be convinced by the duo’s gravitas and Bloom’s proven talent in the boardroom.

With McInnes traveling to Spain without him, the uncertainty surrounding Shankland’s future has gotten even more hazy.

McInnes stated earlier this week that “I really believe Lawrence can elevate himself as a member of a powerful Hearts team.”

“I believe he can use the right team and score 25 to 30 goals per year.”

“We can provide security,” the statement read. We can provide the benefits of creating a team and being a part of it.

There is a chance that Hearts will attack the transfer market because Bloom intends to “disrupt the pattern of domination that has existed in Scottish football for far too long.”

In the first few days of the window, right-back Christian Borchgrevink, winger Alexandros Kyziridis, striker Claudio Braga, center-half Stuart Findlay, and midfielder Oisin McEntee have already signed, while Elton Kabangu has signed for a permanent deal from last season’s loan spell.

Just one word. .Goals

Former Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart said on Sportscene at the end of last season, “When you get the ball into dangerous areas, Lawrence Shankland will score.”

A man who can score 20 or more goals per season doesn’t grow on trees.

Stewart is correct. No other player has ever scored more than 20 goals in the Premiership in the last three years.

Kyogo Furuhashi once represented Celtic, Cyriel Dessers once for Rangers, and Motherwell’s Kevin van Veen once.

In addition to that, Shankland brings leadership and experience with Hearts despite long-running injury issues.

Given Shankland’s goal-scoring prowess in the 2023-2004 season, which included 31 goals in all competitions, would have been a ploy for the suitors to have taken him on a free with the expiration of his contract 12 months prior.

As he approaches 30, Shankland is likely considering how many well-known moves or high-paying contracts he has left in his career. The season that just ended was less productive.

It is entirely understandable that he is at a point in his career where he is looking to maximize his earning potential.

It explains why Hearts has not yet received a response regarding the offer.

No deal has been struck, which suggests that Shankland might have made other offers that weren’t his style. Things will start to come to a head in the upcoming days as the pre-season begins.

There are more options when you’re out of a contract, according to Steven Naismith, who was Hearts’ manager between the 2023 and 2024 season.