The Australian capped winger is on the brink of a lucrative life-changing move to Saudi Arabia and Easter Road boss Shaun Maloney has warned he will need to be replaced in the first-team squad.

Mitchell, now at Blackpool, has emerged as a potential target and has history in Edinburgh.

Trained at Manchester United as a youth, he moved to Hearts in 2018 and spent a full year in the capital on loan, playing 34 games and scoring twice.

Demetri Mitchell on his previous loan in Scotland with Hearts in 2018. (Picture: SNS)

Hibs are believed to be prepared to offer the versatile wide-man a two-and-a-half year contract to lure him away from the Seasiders to Leith.

Maloney would not be drawn on the speculation following his side’s 1-0 Scottish Cup win over Cove Rangers, after extra-time.

“He's still a Blackpool player so I wouldn't want to speak about that just yet,” he said of the 25-year-old.

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Hibs: Former Hearts winger Demetri Mitchell emerges as target at Blackpool as Martin Boyle replacement

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