Shankland omitted from Hearts' Spanish training camp

Lawrence Shankland, the 29-year-old Scottish striker, has been excluded from Heart of Midlothian's 28-man squad for their upcoming pre-season training camp in Spain. Shankland, who joined Hearts in 2022 from Belgian club Beerschot, is currently out of contract with the Scottish Premiership side. Despite being in discussions regarding a potential new deal, his omission from the training camp raises questions about his future with the club. New head coach Derek McInnes expressed optimism earlier in the week, stating he hoped to have further discussions with Shankland to gain clarity on his situation. McInnes indicated that the club is keen to retain Shankland's services, particularly since he has not expressed any desire to leave Tynecastle at this point.

In addition to Shankland's situation, Hearts recently finalized a significant financial deal, selling a 29% stake in the club to Tony Bloom, the owner of Brighton and Hove Albion, for £9.86 million. This move is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the club's operations and recruitment, as Hearts already had an established relationship with Bloom's company, Jamestown Analytics. Shankland, who has earned 16 caps for the Scotland national team, remains a key player for Hearts, and his future will likely be closely monitored by fans and club officials alike as negotiations continue. The outcome of these discussions could have a significant impact on the team's dynamics as they prepare for the upcoming season.