4 Hearts attacking transfer options as Robbie Neilson targets new number nine and 'creative' forwards

After bolstering his Hearts defence, Robbie Neilson is now focusing on getting his squad firing.

The Jambos boss is looking for at least three new attacking players to spearhead his assault on the Europa League group stages.

Liam Boyce is currently the only recognised senior striker on the books at Tynecastle, along side Ewan Henderson, who has returned from his loan at Alloa and will be given the chance to impress during pre-season.

Along with sporting director Joe Savage, Neilson is seeking attacking reinforcements, ideally with one arriving before he whisks his squad off to Spain for a week of warm weather training later this month.

And they are looking for specific types as well. “We are looking for a couple of quick forwards who can play the No.10 role or further forward and we're also looking for another striker,” Neilson told the Edinburgh Evening News. “We need to focus on that department for next season so I would expect a few coming in to play in that area.”

But who are the potential candidates? Record Sport takes a look at some of the names who could be on Hearts’ radar.

In an ideal world, the Everton striker would return to Hearts on loan after an impressive few months nin maroon last season.

Neilson has admitted several times that he’d love to see that happen, but has played down the chances of persuading the Toffees to send Simms back to Tynecastle.

Neilson admitted that the lure of European football isn’t likely to trump a Championship club paying most or all of Simm’s salary.

He said last week: “I know we have (European football) but what they have is finances. We just made a small contribution to his wage. If he goes to the Championship. Someone can pay a much larger contribution or all of his