Ellis Simms is planning to hold talks with Everton in the summer about what next season holds for the young striker.
Simms enjoyed one of the high points of his burgeoning career when he set Hearts on their way to victory over Edinburgh rivals Hibs in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup at Hampden Park on Saturday.
It was the 21-year-old's fifth goal of his impressive loan spell with the Scottish Premiership outfit and it is a spell that could yet end in silverware.
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Hearts, who are third in the domestic table, will take on Rangers in the final back at Hampden Park on May 21.
Once that's out of the way Simms - who was also named man of the match against Hibs - will speak to Everton about what they have in store for him. But he has already admitted he would be open to staying with the Jambos.
"It’s about the pathway for me," Simms exclusively told the Edinburgh Evening News. "I would be open to it, definitely.
"It’s out of my hands. I’m owned by Everton so it’s up to them where my next step is. I’ve enjoyed my time here, I’ve loved it. I’m here to play games and win matches.
"I will have to sit down with the Everton staff and my agent. It’s not entirely down to me, but so far I have enjoyed every minute here at Hearts."
The Jambos have already qualified for next season's Europa League through the Scottish Premiership - they are guaranteed to finish third - but Simms admits they cannot take their eye off the ball before that huge final with Rangers next month.
“When you play football you want to win," said Simms, who scored 10 goals in 24 games last season on loan at Blackpool. "It’s that winning mentality that you need. This is my second loan so it would be a nice achievement to win a cup here, but we still have league games to look forward to.
“We got third place but we don’t want to get complacent. We want to maximise our points total and then we have the cup final to come next month.”
Simms is contracted to Everton until 2024 after signing a new three-year deal in November.
