Lawrence Shankland has been omitted from Heart of Midlothian’s 28-man squad for their pre-season training camp in Spain.
The 29-year-old Scotland striker is out of contract with the Scottish Premiership club but has been in talks about a new deal.
New head coach Derek McInnes said earlier this week that he hoped to speak to Shankland again on Tuesday and receive some “clarity” over Shankland’s future “in the coming days”.
McInnes indicated that Hearts were hopeful of retaining the striker’s services, especially as he had not indicated he was leaving Tynecastle.
Hearts this week completed a £9.86m deal with Tony Bloom for the Brighton and Hove Albion owner to buy a 29% stake in the Edinburgh club.
The Tynecastle club already had a formal relationship with Bloom’s company Jamestown Analytics for recruitment.
Shankland, who has 16 Scotland caps, joined Hearts from Belgian club Beerschot in 2022.
