Lawrence Shankland Hearts future 'decided' amid shock U-turn on contract offer

Lawrence Shankland is set to remain with Hearts after agreeing to sign a new contract.

That is according to a shock report which claims that the striker has turned down big money offers from abroad to commit his future to the Tynecastle club.

Shankland appeared to be on his way out of Hearts after head coach Derek McInnes, speaking only yesterday, admitted that attempts to re-sign the 29-year-old following the expiry of his contract had proved challenging.

Lawrence Shankland has reportedly agreed to sign a new contract with Hearts. | SNS Group

A move to the English Championship or Saudi Arabai had been mooted, but according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, an agreement between Hearts and the player has now been reached that will allow the Scotland international to extend his stay on Gorgie.

Romano posted on X: "Understand Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland has agreed to re-sign at the club. Decision made as he’s rejecting big money from abroad to stay at Hearts, as player and his camp worked hard to make it happen."

The apparent U-turn from Shankland will delight McInnes, who refused to close the door on retaining the man who scored 68 goals across the past three seasons at Hearts.

Speaking from the club's pre-season training base in Spain on Tuesday, McInnes said: "I've left it with the club, really. The fact he's not with us would suggest that it's been challenging to get the outcome that we want.

““I think I’ve made it clear that Lawrence is a boy I want to work with. As a manager, you set out your targets and you want to work with the players you want to work with. I’m well used to in my career not getting everything that I want, but I would love to have the opportunity for Lawrence to be with us this season. And while we still have a chance, we’ll hang on to that.

“I believe the club have put their best foot forward and it's a strong offer. It's not a 'no' in its entirety because we're not ruling it out, but the fact is he's not here so we can't rule him in - and I wanted him to be ruled in by now. The fact that he isn't here, it's clear as day, would suggest that it's becoming a bit more difficult I think to make that happen.”