Hearts have warned Central Coast Mariners they won’t be held to ransom over Sammy Silvera as they weigh up a fresh bid for the winger.
The Jambos had an initial move worth six figures booted into touch by the A-League champions. Stiff competition for the 22-year-old’s capture comes from Middlesbrough and Plymouth, who face Hearts in a friendly during their Spanish training camp next week and have had two offers for him rejected. Clubs in Asia are also understood to be keen on the Australia Under-23 international who is set to move on this summer.
But Hearts are wary of getting involved in a bidding war and Tynecastle sources last night told Record Sport they won’t be held to ransom for the player, having already submitted what they believe to be a good offer. The Jambos did business with the Aussie side bossed by former Scotland Under-21 international Nick Montgomery last summer when World Cup star Kye Rowles made the move to Edinburgh.
But the club could turn their attention elsewhere if the Mariners continue to play hardball over Silvera. Japanese winger Kanji Okunuki has been earmarked as a potential alternative, although the 23-year-old still has a year left to run on his contract at Omiya Ardija in Japan.
Josh Ginnelly was absent as the Jambos returned for the first day of pre-season training yesterday. A new deal is on the table for the 26-year-old attacker but the free agent looks increasingly likely to move on, with Maccabi Haifa and several clubs in England keen on him.
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