Lawrence Shankland touted for Premier League transfer as Man City hero would be 'shocked' if there is no interest

Former Manchester City and Scotland striker Paul Dickov has touted Hearts strike star Lawrence Shankland for a move to the English Premier League and admits he would be “shocked” if big clubs south of the border aren’t interested.

The Jambos captain is in the running for the PFA Scotland Player of the Year after an outstanding 29-goal campaign for club and country so far. Shankland’s contract at Tynecastle is up next season and he admitted “conversations will need to be had” after a January deadline passed without an agreement for the Scotland frontman to sign on the dotted line for an an improved offer of a bump in wages and an additional two years on his contract.

Rangers were heavily linked with a move for the 28-year-old but nothing materialised while Celtic have also been mentioned in despatches but Dickov, who starred for a host of clubs in England including current Premier League champions City, told OLBG: “A lot of teams are going to be interested in him and not just in Scotland, I’d be shocked if Championship or even Premier League teams didn’t enquire about him.

“He has scored a lot of goals over the last few seasons, he’s a talented boy, with great all-round game as well as finishing ability. Lawrence is in the Scotland set-up now and possibly could start at the Euros. I would imagine both Celtic and Rangers will be interested in him again this summer. However, it wouldn't surprise me if he moved down to England in the Premier League or the Championship and took on a new challenge. He’s been a goalscoring machine for the last few seasons and deserves whatever opportunities come his way.”

Shankland is expected to be part of Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad for Euro 2024 and Dickov, capped 10 times, said: “Lyndon