Pundit tells Rangers they ‘Can’t Afford’ transfer for Ibrox-linked striker

Hearts will not sell Lawrence Shankland to Rangers this summer despite transfer links with Ibrox, according to Kevin Kyle.

Reports have suggested the Gers are eager to take the Scotland international away from Tynecastle this summer as Philippe Clement looks to add to his attacking ranks ahead of the new season [Daily Record, 29 July].

So far Hearts have insisted there has been no transfer interest in Shankland and Open Goal pundit Kyle believes the Premiership side would rather lose the forward for nothing than sell him at this stage of the window.

Speaking on the Open Goal YouTube channel (31 July, 30:00) he said: “If you couldn’t afford Lawrence Shankland in January, you’re not going to be able to afford him in the summertime because Hearts simply won’t sell for the sake of six months.

“I know in January he could go and agree a pre-contract somewhere, but that isn’t going to happen now Lawrence Shankland going to Rangers. It isn’t going to happen.

“Everything going on at Rangers now, some of them are coming in on the cheap. The boy [Connor] Barron has been a good signing because he’s young and for the future.”

Will Lawrence Shankland exit Hearts amid Rangers transfer speculation?

On the face of it, what Kyle has said is true as Hearts may well feel that they can get more value out of Shankland on the pitch over the next 12 months than they would be able to earn for his signature in the transfer market.

However, that would change if the Gers made them an offer that they simply couldn’t refuse. Ultimately, the question is whether or not the Light Blues have that sort of money ready and available to spend on an ageing forward.

The recruitment model so far this summer has been based around signing young up-and-coming players with the view to selling them on for a profit. Shankland doesn’t fit that plan so that could well throw a spanner in the works.

He would undoubtedly be a better option heading into next season than either Danilo or Cyriel Dessers, but he won’t come cheaply and there has been no suggestion Hearts are ready to part ways.

In other Rangers news, the Light Blues have been told to sell Jack Butland for £10million despite a new admission from Clement

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