Oli McBurnie hailed for shock Hearts transfer as ex-£20m man weighs up Sheffield United exit

The summer is upon us, which means the transfer rumors are in full swing. And Ryan Stevenson spilled the beans on a story he’s seen doing the rounds with Hearts.

The former Jambos star claims he has heard rumors of a shock move north of the border for former Scotland international Oli McBurnie. The £20million striker is dragging his heels over a new contract with relegated Sheffield United as he weighs up his future. The much-maligned McBurnie, 27, has spent his entire career down south and has more than a century of goals to his name in just over 300 appearances.

Despite finishing bottom of the Premier League, McBurnie still managed to end the campaign as the Blades’ joint top scorer with six goals – which included strikes against Manchester United and Chelsea. However, the former Swansea City and Barnsley forward could soon become a free agent as he considers whether or not to extend his five-year stay at Bramall Lane.

Stevenson has heard whispers linking the out-of-contract frontman with an unlikely move to Tynecastle and while McBurnie’s wage demands would certainly blow the Gorgie side out of the water, the former striker believes he is the kind of marker on which Steven Naismith should be. in the market for.

He told the Daily Record: “They call this time of year ‘silly season’ for a reason. fly around And there are already plenty in the Premiership. Some will have substance, some will be Jackanory stuff.

“But if the one I’ve heard doing the rounds – that Hearts are in for Oli McBurnie – turns out to be true, then I’d be delighted. Listen, it could turn out to be a bigger pile of crap than the Tory election. i promise but to me this is exactly the caliber of player hearts need to have this summer.

“He’s out of contract at Sheffield United and looking to move on, so why shouldn’t Steven Naismith try to bring him to Tynecastle. It has the following of European football, a cracking stadium, some of the best training facilities in the world. country and the support of a passionate fan base to give it to the former £20m man.

“I really think it’s an attractive proposition that would attract a lot of players. I just hope club bosses are thinking along the same lines when it comes to signing a statement.”

With Lawrence Shankland in the final year of his Hearts contract and hinting at a possible summer exit, Stevenson believes a proven goalscorer like McBurnie would be the perfect replacement for the 31-goal hitman.

He added: “I’d be looking for a striker, maybe a bit more dynamic up front, with the legs and strength to give us a ball out if we find ourselves shut down once we get into the Euro games. I think McBurnie fits the bill. that bill, but it won’t be cheap, given the money floating south.

“For some reason the Tartan Army never really took to it, maybe because they didn’t hide the fact that they supported the Rangers. But I’d have it here in a second. You don’t play most of your career in the Premier League or the top end of the English Championship if you’re a bad player.

“He had a difficult year with Sheffield United, but every time the Blades carried a threat it was with Oli in the team. If Hearts have any intention of competing in Europe and remaining Scotland’s third power, they must have as much more players who do that . Anyone who says otherwise is just a fool.”