Hearts slap £1m price tag on David Templeton

HEARTS were today seeking close to £1million for David Templeton as Cardiff City, Nottingham Forest, Bristol City, Blackburn Rovers and Rangers prepared to fight for the winger’s signature before midnight.

The Tynecastle club has received interest from teams in England’s Premier League, Championship and the Scottish Premier League, which could mean some frantic negotiations before the January transfer window closes.

Templeton, 23, would prefer a move to England and much will depend on who is willing to offer the highest fee for his services. Hearts want as near to £1million as possible for a player they signed from Stenhousemuir for an initial fee of £30,000 in January 2007.

Cardiff have had Templeton watched on several occasions this season and manager Malky Mackay is a huge admirer. Blackburn’s Steve Kean, Forest’s Steve Cotterill, Bristol’s Derek McInnes and Rangers’ Ally McCoist are also willing to bid for the player and are aware of interest from other clubs.

Hearts have already sold Eggert Jonsson to Wolverhampton Wanderers and Ryan Stevenson to Ipswich Town during the current transfer window. They are in no rush to move Templeton on as his contract does not expire until 2013, but will do business if the price is right.