West Brom, Southampton, and Watford have expressed interest in Tynecastle players.

Football moves quickly, as James Penrice and Lawrence Shankland can attest. Both players are facing speculation about their futures at Hearts following very different seasons, and fans want to know what happens next. The atmosphere within Tynecastle Park’s corridors is relaxed, with the summer transfer window about to officially open.

Penrice, a relegated Livingston left-back, was saved from relegation only a year ago when Hearts signed him as a free agent on a three-year contract. He arrived determined to establish himself as a Scottish Premiership mainstay. One year later, he is Gorgie’s Player of the Year and named to the PFA Scotland Premiership Team of the Year. He appeared 46 times in 2024/25 and was generally outstanding. English clubs are now showing a keen interest.

Shankland was Hearts’ golden boy this time last year, having scored 59 goals in his first two seasons in Edinburgh. He made only nine appearances in 2024/25, but five of them came in his final five games. During the drought, some fans turned against him, and he was forced to play out of position in advanced midfield. He is nearly out of contract, and detailed discussions about an extension have taken place with senior club officials, including new head coach Derek McInnes. Again, English clubs are looking for a free-agent Scottish international striker.

Penrice is the player Hearts is most at ease with. They consider his situation to be business as usual, as no pursuing club has made any official contact with him. However, the player will have noticed the number of West Bromwich Albion fans who have recently started following him on social media. Last season, Southampton and Watford, both in the English Championship, scouted him.

West Brom had four different managers in 2024/25 and appointed a fifth, Ryan Mason, three days ago. Carlos Corberán, Chris Brunt [interim], Tony Mowbray, and James Morrison [interim] all took charge of a chaotic campaign at The Hawthorns. Understandably, their summer recruitment plans have been disrupted multiple times due to the changes.

Mowbray admired Penrice and wanted to scout him as a potential signing target. West Brom’s head of recruitment, Ian Pearce, is also a fan. Both men were capable English Premier League defenders in their day and can spot a good left-back. Mason’s plans will determine whether the interest in Penrice is pursued further. Callum Styles, a Hungarian international, has played much of the season as Albion’s left-back but needs competition.

EFL transfer interest in Scotland as Hearts wait for news.

It would require a significant fee for Hearts to consider selling Penrice. They do have experienced replacements in the squad in the form of Stephen Kingsley and Harry Milne, but Penrice, who is 26 years old and has two years left on his contract, is one of their most valuable assets. During his 46 games last season, he scored two goals and added seven assists, finishing with an average match rating of 7.32.

Last July, Hearts sold Alex Cochrane, Penrice’s predecessor at left back, to English League One club Birmingham City for £1.3 million. This was made up of a large six-figure downpayment plus add-ons for a player who cost a modest six-figure sum from Brighton two years ago. Hearts would need to make another seven-figure offer before discussing Penrice’s potential departure from Edinburgh.

Shankland’s situation is obviously very different. The 29-year-old’s contract ends next week. He turned down two new deals from Hearts early in 2024, but talks resumed a few weeks ago. The terms on offer differ, but discussions between Shankland and McInnes have been cordial and respectful. The player has not ruled out staying at Tynecastle.

He has turned down at least one offer from a foreign club, and West Brom and Southampton remain interested. Rangers also kept an eye on him, but with recent managerial changes including the appointments of sporting director Kevin Thelwell and head coach Russell Martin, new recruitment ideas are almost certain. It remains to be seen whether Shankland is in their plans.

The forward, who is available for free and has a strong goalscoring record at all levels, added 11 assists to his nine goals from last season and earned an average match rating of 7.07. Agents have been working in the background – coincidentally, the same agents who represent Penrice – as he decides where he wants to play football next season. His international prospects will be important as Scotland attempts to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Shankland signed a contract only a few days ago. A marriage agreement with his long-term fiancée, Nicole. He is currently on his honeymoon and is expected to make a decision about his future soon.

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