Shameless Hearts have began recruiting players for next season while attempting to impose 50% pay cuts on their current squad.
Steven Naismith is the only player to come out and agree to the new pay deal with team-mates consulting PFA Scotland about their contracts.
The speed of Hearts’ decision to go for pay cuts created suspicions that it was the detail of the contracts rather than the impact of Coronavirus behind the move.
The Sun reports:
HEARTS have approached a list of top football agents looking for new players – incredibly insisting they could have money to spend on signings.
SunSport can reveal details of an email sent out by Jambos’ Head of Pro Player Recruitment John Murray.
It lists the various positions the cash-strapped Tynecastle club are looking to strengthen for next season.
And despite pleas of poverty from owner Ann Budge, Murray reveals the current players on their way OUT of the club could free up cash to splash.
Murray says: “Could you please update me on any of your players who are out of contract at the end of the season and who you think would be suitable players for Hearts?
“There may be transfer funds available if we can move a few players on so please also add players available with a transfer fee.”
Under Vladimir Romanov Hearts were notorious for late payment of wages, at one stage star midfielder Ian Black was working as a painter and decorator to make ends meet.
The SPFL has other priorities at the moment but the situation at Hearts further strengthens the need for Financial Fair Play to be introduced to Scottish football.
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Hamilton Accies, Ross County and St Mirren couldn’t afford the incredible salaries offered to Steven Naismith and Liam Boyce, now it appears that Hearts couldn’t afford them either.