Hearts still looking to secure Sheffield Wednesday transfer agreement | OneFootball

Hearts are reportedly still keen to sign Sheffield Wednesday striker Callum Paterson this month, but could instead try to agree a pre-contract deal which would see him join in the summer.

According to Football Scotland, the Jam Tarts may make one final attempt to bring Paterson back to Tynecastle this month after having their previous two offers rejected, but should they fail once again, they will look to secure his services for free at the end of the season.

The move would see Paterson return to the club where he started his career, going on to score 33 goals in 137 appearances during his time in Edinburgh, before moving to Cardiff City in 2017.

It has been a very public pursuit of the 29-year-old, with Hearts boss Robbie Neilson openly confirming his side’s interest.

“We will just need to wait and see,” Neilson told The Scotsman earlier this month. “He is obviously a Sheffield Wednesday player and has come back into their team, so things have changed a bit in the last few weeks. We would love to get him in but we need to wait and see what they say.”

However, the Owls have been reluctant to let Paterson go, particularly considering he has been a regular in recent weeks, with his versatility proving incredibly useful to Darren Moore’s side in their promotion push.

Moore says he has no desire to sanction Paterson’s departure and with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, he suggested that an extension could be a possibility.

“At this moment in time that (Paterson staying in January) is the only thing I see,” Moore told the Yorkshire Post earlier this month.

“He’s experienced, he’s head-strong, he’s focused and every time he steps in to perform his work ethic and desire for the team is really good. He’s got wonderful respect with the players.

“I see no problem with Pato and where he’s at so it isn’t a distraction. I get and understand the situation.”

But Football Scotland say that Paterson would be open to a move north of the border and would consider a pre-contract offer if no deal is agreed prior to the closure of the window.

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The verdict

This is one that is looking increasingly unlikely this month.

The Owls clearly do not want to let Paterson go having turned down two previous bids from Hearts and it is understandable why Moore is keen to keep him of him.

Paterson’s versatility and physicality could be hugely important in the remainder of the season and losing him for free is a risk that Wednesday should be prepared to take.

Moore’s comments suggest that Paterson will be offered a new contract in S6, so it will be intriguing to see whether he decides to stay, particularly if Hearts were to table a pre-contract deal.