Exclusive: Birmingham City plotting to sign Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland
Birmingham City are among a number of English Championship clubs interested in Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland ahead of the summer window, sources have told Football Insider.
Birmingham have been scouting the SPFL for talent that can help them push up the Championship next season and the Hearts captain is on their radar.
The Scotland international is regarded as a key asset by Hearts and it will take a big fee to prise him away from Tynecastle.
The 27-year-old signed for the Edinburgh side in the summer but has already netted 21 goals this season.
Shankland has also been given the captain’s armband despite only arriving at the club eight months ago and has become a key player in Robbie Neilson’s side.
However, the opportunity to play in the Championship may prove to difficult to turn down especially at Birmingham who are ready to spend in the next window and would significantly increase Shankland’s wages.
Hearts would not welcome an approach for their captain who only signed in a reported £470k deal a few months ago and fans would also be concerned to see him go.
A strong fee will needed to out him from Tynecastle as Hearts will want to retain their top talent for a run in Europe next season whilst strengthening themselves.
The Scot is currently sidelined with a ankle injury but is expected to return in the coming days for Hearts’ clash against Aberdeen this weekend (18 March).
He is currently second in the Scottish Premiership scoring charts with 17 league goals, only three behind leading scorer, Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi.
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