Lawrence Shankland's £5m Hearts price tag 'unlikely to drop much' as Steven Naismith outlines 3 key factors

Steven Naismith says Hearts can't have Josh Ginnelly situations every year as he named three key factors over Lawrence Shankland's future.

The Jambos skipper is heading into the final 12 months of his current deal with the Tynecastle club faced with a stick of twist scenario if he decides not to pen a fresh agreement. He hinted he wants to try his hand at a 'higher level' and the club and player have had talks over a contract extension but nothing has been agreed with the PFA Scotland Player of the Year. Further sit downs are expected to happen soon but Edinburgh Evening News report that the capital club are aware of interest from Scotland, England and abroad in their star man but no official bids have landed.

They state that the Tynecastle side would consider selling Shankland, who has 28 goals in 44 games in all competitions, if an acceptable over was received in the coming months. The same publication reports that they are unlikely to drop much from the £5million figure they value him at as his goals could help them bank that in prize money if they reach European group-stage football again next term.

Naismith explained: “If Shanks left tomorrow for whatever reason, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t like Hearts or he hasn’t had a fantastic time here. Arguably, he has played his best stuff at Hearts but it’s football. We have him contracted for another year so we have an element of control as a club. I’m sure Shanks will be as professional as he has been through all of this and will do what is right for him.

“If that is signing a new contract then he will look to do that. If it’s not, then it’s not. Nobody can grudge Shanks taking his time, having an understanding of what he wants to do and making sure he makes the right