Sammy Silvera to Hearts transfer path won't be blocked but Mariners chief issues cash warning to chasing clubs

Central Coast mariners chief Richard Peil says they won't stand in Sammy Silvera's way if the player wants to leave, either for the UK or Asia.

As exclusively revealed by Record Sport, Hearts have had a bid for the 22-year-old wide man knocked back, while Middlesbrough and Plymouth Argyle from the English Championship are also chasing him. There's competition from Asian clubs who are prepared to offer big money in order to tempt one of Mariners' Grand Final goal scorers away from Oz.

Hearts insist they won't be held to ransom and will move on to other targets if they feel Mariners are looking for too much cash. The A-League outfit are understood to be holding out for around £520,000. Gornik Zabrze's Kanji Okunuki is a backup target and the Tynecastle club have reportedly been quoted £400,000 for the 23-year-old. They are also chasing compatriot Riku Handa from Gamba Osaka to strengthen in the right back area.

Peil doesn't want to deny Silvera a second crack and continuing his career outside of Australia. But insists he'll only leave for what they feel is a fair price. He told FTBL : “There has been a lot of interest in Sammy – and justifiably so – from multiple clubs in both the UK and Asia. There have been several concrete offers to go along with that but nothing has been decided yet.

“Personal success gets players noticed and Sammy deserves the attention, and as a club we’re not surprised either. His class was there for all to see at the back end of the season, and of course in the grand final, and it’s no shock that the phone has been ringing off the hook to ask about him.

“We are not in the business of standing in the way of players if they really want to go elsewhere to help their career. However, I genuinely