Shankland desperation emerges as manager speaks out on West Brom target
Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland has emerged as one of West Brom’s major summer transfer targets in the last few weeks.
The frontman has been prolific in the Scottish Premiership over the last few seasons, and with his contract due to expire at Hearts this summer, there has been a huge race to secure his signature for next season.
West Brom have tabled a contract offer to Shankland, which places them firmly in the conversation, but they face competition from elsewhere, while Hearts are also doing everything they can to tempt their star man to agree to renewed terms.
The 29-year-old would be the perfect addition to spearhead the attack for new boss Ryan Mason next term, but with Shankland yet to commit his future to any of the interested parties, the Baggies have essentially been left in limbo.
Derek McInnes expects Shankland to reach a decision in the next few days
West Brom’s pursuit of Shankland has another added dimension in that a club from Saudi Arabia have also made a lucrative offer to the striker.
The former Dundee United man has an array of options at his fingertips for his next move, but is still locked in negotiations over the possibility of extending his stay at Tynecastle.
Hearts have been in dialogue with Shankland for several weeks now, and their boss Derek McInnes still retains hope that he may be able to keep hold of his star man.
McInnes has now revealed that he expects the striker to reach a decision in the coming days.
“I’ve spoken with Lawrence and I’m due to speak to him again tonight (24 June),” McInnes told Sky Sports News (24 June).
“We’d like to try and find a way [to get Shankland to sign]. From our point of view, we’re trying to prepare for both eventualities. If Lawrence does commit to us, then brilliant, we’d get the benefits of that, and I’ve spoken long and hard to him about the benefits of him being here.
“Hopefully, by the end of the conversation today, we’ll have a better idea of where it’s at. If Lawrence isn’t going to be with us this season, then of course it would be disappointing, but by the same token, there’s enough to be excited about here.
“I’d love him to play a part for us, and I think over the next few days we’ll find out whether that’s going to be the case.”
There is a sense of desperation from Hearts
As West Brom attempt to convince the striker to make the switch to The Hawthorns, there is seemingly a sense of desperation emerging from Hearts.
The Edinburgh outfit have been in talks with the frontman for several weeks now, and with no agreement reached as of yet, you get the feeling that their discussions at this point are more out of hope than genuine belief that he will pen a new deal.
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Shankland would surely have signed a new contract by now if he had designs on staying at Hearts, and that will surely give the Baggies and the other potential suitors plenty of hope that they could be in line to secure a deal.
Mason’s appointment has brought plenty of optimism to the West Midlands side, and if they could bring Shankland in as well, then that optimism would only continue to increase.
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