Cape Town in talks over Andy Webster bid

The 31-year-old’s Tynecastle contract deal has now expired after two and a half years of his second spell in Gorgie.

Webster will be on international duty next week for Scotland in the World Cup tie in Zagreb against Croatia.

But Ajax chief executive George Comitis said: “We are targeting a centre-back. And yes, we are talking to Webster’s agent. He has a great CV, so let’s see. Bottom line is that we need a centre-back.”

Hearts have offered Webster a new deal on reduced terms and manager Gary Locke was hoping to hear soon whether the former Wigan and Rangers centre-half would accept a new deal.

Webster rejoined the Edinburgh club in January 2011 having left in 2006 under acrimonious circumstances following a fallout with majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov. He returned to sign a two-and-a-half-year deal.

Ajax Cape Town were only founded in 1999 after a merger between Seven Stars and Cape Town Spurs, but they struggled badly this season and escaped relegation from the Premier Soccer League by just one place.

They are strengthening their squad for the new season and Webster would be joining a select bunch of Scots to have played in South Africa, including Jim Craig, Alan Gordon and Dave Smith.