Hearts have declared an interest in Ross McCormack even though the Motherwell forward seems destined to move to the Barclays Premier League. Mark McGhee is keen to retain the services of the 21-year-old until the summer and will use some of the £600,000 received from a sell-on clause in James McFadden's £6m transfer to Birmingham City to offer him a new contract.
Middlesbrough are prepared to bid £300,000 for the former Rangers striker now but Hearts have asked to be kept informed of developments with a view to entering the race.
McCormack's earning power will increase significantly if he waits until the summer, when he can leave on a Bosman, but Motherwell are protected by UEFA regulations on compensation for players under 23.
Hearts, meanwhile, have offloaded Michal Pospisil, the Czech striker, to Belgian side Sint-Truidense.
The 28-year-old has made little impact on the first team at Tynecastle this season and has joined his new club on a three-and-a-half-year contract.
Hearts have also allowed midfielder Linas Pilibaitis to return to FBK Kaunas after a loan spell in Edinburgh.
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