Motherwell have reportedly "been given permission" to speak to Hearts midfielder Andy Halliday over the possibility of a permanent move.
This is according to Edinburgh Evening News who claim that Stuart Kettlewell's men have "approached the Tynecastle side to declare interest in the 32-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the season."
Hearts have told Halliday he can leave during this window and the Fir Park club appear keen to bring him in as soon as possible after Callum Slattery was ruled out with a knee injury for the rest of the season.
Halliday is yet to start a game this season for Steven Naismith's side, making just six appearances from the bench, and the report also states that the former Rangers player is keen to play more football.
Livingston, Ayr United and Hamilton Accies have also declared their interest in the player.
Meanwhile, Hearts have made Lawrence Shankland an offer to extend his stay at Tynecastle Park.
Talks with their top scorer were opened recently in a bid to keep him at the club beyond his current deal which expires in the summer of 2025.
Shankland, who has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season, has been linked with a number of clubs this month but Hearts are understood to have not had any offers for the 28-year-old and the club have made a strong offer to the player.
Hearts had also intended to discuss a new contract with their talismanic star who was signed in the summer of 2022 from Belgian side Beerschot. He has outstripped all expectations and has been talked about alongside the likes of club legends John Robertson and Rudi Skacel such is the impact he has had on the team.
Steven Naismith spoke about Shankland's situation last month. "He is in a rich vein of form," he said. "When you are doing well there is always interest. The Scottish league is not the league at the top which can decide when players leave or when they don't.
"I think every club in Scotland thinks that at some point players move on, or they don't, we are trying to be progressive but Shanks is a big part of that.
"There is always going to be interest but as a club we are comfortable, we are ready for all eventual outcomes."
