After bolstering his Hearts defence, Robbie Neilson is now focusing on getting his squad firing.
The Jambos boss is looking for at least three new attacking players to spearhead his assault on the Europa League group stages.
Liam Boyce is currently the only recognised senior striker on the books at Tynecastle, along side Ewan Henderson, who has returned from his loan at Alloa and will be given the chance to impress during pre-season.
Along with sporting director Joe Savage, Neilson is seeking attacking reinforcements, ideally with one arriving before he whisks his squad off to Spain for a week of warm weather training later this month.
And they are looking for specific types as well. “We are looking for a couple of quick forwards who can play the No.10 role or further forward and we're also looking for another striker,” Neilson told the Edinburgh Evening News. “We need to focus on that department for next season so I would expect a few coming in to play in that area.”
But who are the potential candidates? Record Sport takes a look at some of the names who could be on Hearts’ radar.
Ellis Simms
In an ideal world, the Everton striker would return to Hearts on loan after an impressive few months nin maroon last season.
Neilson has admitted several times that he’d love to see that happen, but has played down the chances of persuading the Toffees to send Simms back to Tynecastle.
Neilson admitted that the lure of European football isn’t likely to trump a Championship club paying most or all of Simm’s salary.
He said last week: “I know we have (European football) but what they have is finances. We just made a small contribution to his wage. If he goes to the Championship. Someone can pay a much larger contribution or all of his salary. That’s what I can see happening.”
Lawrence Shankland
Hearts have been linked with the former Dundee United striker, who of course played under Neilson and his coaching staff at Tannadice.
Neilson got the best out of him too, as Shankland scored 24 goals in 26 for the Tangerines as they claimed the Championship title in a truncated season.
Shankland only managed nine in 36 under Micky Mellon after making the step up to the top flight.
He still did enough to persuade Beerschot to spend £1m on him.
However, a move home may now be tempting after their relegation from the Belgian Pro League.
Last month, Savage didn't deny Hearts’ interest in Shankland as he addressed links to him and Alan Forrest, saying: "Yeah, I think so. I’m not the type to deny things like that.
“He is someone Robbie and the coaches have worked with before and they think he’s a very good player.
"He is someone we are aware of. We haven’t opened any discussions or made any offer yet."
Hearts have since signed Forrest, although the figures involved in any deal for Shankland may put a spanner in the works.
Tsuyoshi Ogashiwa
Hearts tried to sign the Japanese international back in January and held talks with Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo over a six-figure transfer.
However, they were keen to hold on to the 23-year-old until the summer as the Jambos moved on.
However, the summer is now here with the prospect of European football now on offer in Edinburgh, as well as money to spend after guaranteeing group stage football until at least December, the Jambos find themselves in a stronger bargaining position.
Ogashiwa’s contract runs until 2024, but Hearts were willing to pay a fee five months ago and provided the valuation remains realistic, may be willing to do so again.
Ben Woodburn
The former Liverpool loanee only showed what he was capable of in flashes during his season in the capital.
Neilson is a fan though, and admitted towards the end of the season he’d like to keep the Wales international at the club permanently.
He would fill the ‘creative forward’ gap Neilson talked about, able to play behind or wide of the strikers.
However, Woodburn is able to command much bigger wages down south, while there is interest in him from the Scottish Premiership too.
He’ll still be on Hearts’ list, but they’ll likely look at other targets first.
