Hearts have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Lawrence Shankland as Beerschot insisted he is not for sale. Robbie Neilson is interested in bringing the Scotland international to Tynecastle this summer to help boost the club's Europa League push.
The ex- Dundee United, Ayr United and Aberdeen forward was top scorer for the Belgian side last term despite their relegation from the Jupiler Pro League, netting five goals from 20 starts. But dropping out of the top-flight had prompted speculation Shankland may look to move back to Scotland.
Hearts have been frequently linked with the 26-year-old in recent years but no move to Gorgie has materialised. And it appears the Jambos could be left disappointed as Beerschot took a firm stance over the Glasgow-born attacker. It appears the club hope Shankland will remain to spearhead their efforts to return to the country's top division at the first time of asking.
A briefing given to local media claimed they have received no offers for Lawrence Shankland. A Beerschot spokesperson stated: "A transfer is not an option at the moment and we have not yet received any official offer for Lawrence Shankland from any clubs."
Shankland has a respectable career total of 118 goals in 215 league starts and he netted 32 of them for Dundee United in his two-year spell. But Hearts face a battle to tempt Beerschot to sell their star man ahead of the upcoming campaign.
