Hearts midfielder Cammy Devlin faces one of the biggest decisions of his career as four clubs compete for his signature this summer transfer window.
The Australian international, who turned 28 this week, has contract offers from the MLS, the English Championship, the Turkish Super Lig, and his current club Hearts.
Devlin’s deal at Tynecastle expired at the end of the season, leaving him free to negotiate with interested parties from multiple countries and leagues.
A source close to the player made clear that finances alone are not driving the decision, with emotional ties to the Edinburgh club playing a significant role.
“Hearts are a great club and clubs are made by people. Graeme Jones and Derek McInnes are good people,” the source told Record Sport.
“They have been fantastic, completely understanding and very patient. While there are four clubs interested and Hearts are bottom of the financial trail, Cammy is torn between financial security and his love of Hearts Football Club. If it was just based on finances Cammy would be gone.”
Devlin has become a firm favourite among Hearts supporters since joining the club from Wellington Phoenix for just £30,000 in the summer of 2021.
He has made 172 appearances for the Jambos across all competitions, cementing himself as one of the most dependable players in the squad during that period.
Last season, despite missing two months through injury, the combative midfielder still managed 33 appearances as Hearts came agonisingly close to winning the Scottish Premiership title.
Devlin is currently in the United States preparing for the World Cup with the Australian national side after making his first international appearance in two years as a late substitute in a 1-1 warm-up draw with Switzerland.
He is hoping to earn significant game time on football’s biggest stage having been an unused substitute throughout all of Australia’s matches at the 2022 World Cup.
Hearts sporting director Graeme Jones confirmed talks with the player’s representatives are progressing, expressing confidence that a resolution is close at hand.
Jones said: “Discussions are ongoing with Cammy’s representatives and they’re positive discussions. I would hope that we will have some form of closure in respect of him staying or leaving in the coming week or so.”
Jones also welcomed Devlin’s inclusion in the national squad, adding: “It’s fantastic news he’s made the Australia squad, that was so important to him and for us. We’re delighted and proud that he has made that.”
Manager Derek McInnes remains determined to keep the midfielder at Tynecastle despite the financial competition from overseas clubs and English Championship sides.
Away from the Devlin situation, Hearts are pushing forward with their summer recruitment, closing in on defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott from National League champions York City for a fee believed to be around £750,000.
The former Tottenham youth product had loan spells in Scotland with Dunfermline and Dundee before playing a key role in York City’s promotion back to the EFL this season.
Hearts are also nearing the signing of striker Amadou Ba-Sy from French Ligue 3 side Rouen for a fee understood to be close to £200,000, alongside a deal for Versailles midfielder Tom Renaud.
The club has already completed the signing of Calvin Miller from Falkirk, who joins St Johnstone forward Josh McPake and Lincoln City defender MJ Kamson-Kamara as new arrivals this window.
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