York City respond to Hearts bid for Malachi Fagan-Walcott
York City have rejected a bid from Hearts for defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott, sources have told Football Insider.
The Scottish Premiership side face a battle with a number of League One sides, including Oxford United, are also showing interest in the 24-year-old centre-back.
Football Insider has exclusively revealed that Hearts had submitted a £750,000 bid for the defender after an impressive 2025-26 campaign.
Fagan-Walcott had been part of the York City team that won the National League in dramatic fashion this season, and the club are now preparing for life in League Two.
Hearts have already had a busy start to the summer transfer window, with captain Lawerance Shankland leaving Tynecastle for Rangers on Tuesday.
Who is Malachi Fagan-Walcott?
Fagan-Walcott originally came through Tottenham Hotspur’s academy and even made his debut for the club during their 3-0 defeat to RB Leipzig in the 2019-20 Champions League.
After a loan spell at Dundee, he signed for Cardiff City after being released by Spurs.
| Malachi Fagan-Walcott fact file | |
| Place of birth | Edmonton, London, England |
| Age | 24 |
| Height | Six foot two inches |
| Position | Centre-back |
| Current club | York City |
In the Welsh capital, he continued to struggle to break into the first team and had loan spells at both Dunfermline Athletic and York City.
At the latter club, he impressed, and the move eventually became permanent at the start of the 2025-26 season.
In the National League this campaign, Fagan-Walcott made 36 appearances as York won the division with 108 points to return to the EFL.
Heart of Midlothian can confirm that Lawrence Shankland is leaving the club to join Rangers.
— Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) May 26, 2026
The striker will make the move to Ibrox on undisclosed terms once the transfer window opens on June 15th.
We thank Lawrence for all of his efforts during his four years in Gorgie. pic.twitter.com/4SQ7BVpKFs
The defender was crucial to this success, as he netted eight times and picked up four assists throughout their title-winning campaign.
Who else are Hearts chasing this transfer window?
Football Insider has exclusively revealed that Hearts want to sign Marc Leonard permanently this summer.
The midfielder spent the latter half of the 2025-26 campaign on loan at Tynecastle from Birmingham City, where he impressed.
The 24-year-old made 13 appearances for the Jambos, where he netted once and also picked up three assists.
This form has also attracted interest from Celtic and Sheffield United, who are also believed to have joined the race for Leonard this summer transfer window.
As a result, it could be a difficult task for Hearts to get the deal over the line, as they face a race to complete the signing.
However, it remains to be seen who the Jambos will bring in as they look to compete for the Scottish Premiership title yet again next season.
🏴 SPFL Insider Access
Direct access to our dedicated Scottish hubs:
Real-time intelligence from the heart of the SPFL