Hearts sporting director Joe Savage has opened up on links with Lawrence Shankland, Alan Forrest and Joe Wright.
Robbie Neilson is in the market to strengthen this summer ahead of a big season for the Tynecastle side next term.
The Jambos are guaranteed European group stage football and with that comes a huge financial windfall for the capital club.
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During his time at Dundee United, Neilson worked with Shankland, while Alan Forrest is another who is available on a free with his contract at Livingston coming to an end.
Defender Joe Wright is another on the radar and he's been invited north of the border for pre-season.
Hearts have a Scottish Cup Final with Rangers at Hampden on Saturday as they bid to top off the campaign with silverware.
But looking ahead to next season and transfer plans, Savage has openly admitted interest in the trio.
Speaking to Edinburgh Evening News, he said: "Yeah, I think so. I’m not the type to deny things like that.
“He is someone Robbie and the coaches have worked with before and they think he’s a very good player.
"He is someone we are aware of. We haven’t opened any discussions or made any offer yet."
“I can see why we’re being linked with him because we do need a striker for next season, no doubt. There’s nothing on that just now. I’m not saying there won’t be, it’s just we haven’t done anything on it yet.”
On Joe Wright, a player Hearts had agreed to sign last summer, Savage said: “Hopefully. We had interest in Joe before his injury.
“He’s a good lad, a good character and a good player.
"I think there might be something in that in terms of bringing Joe up to see how he is.
“He is interested in coming up and we are interested in having him. We might get a chance to have a look at him and see how he has recovered.”
Talks with Forrest's team are continuing but Hearts face competition for the winger.
Savage admits initial talks have taken place with his agent but the club are aware of interest elsewhere in his services.
He added: “We’ve had initial talks with his agent. Alan is a player we do like and he is a free agent.
“The season is now finished so we will take that up now and see if there’s anything else we can do, or anything else we can offer Alan that he is looking for.
"I know there is a bit of interest in him, so we are speaking to his agent.”
