Hearts chief executive Andrew McKinlay says his “gut” feeling is that club captain Lawrence Shankland will run down his contract with the club.
Speaking to the media after the club’s AGM, he also admitted he has “no idea” if the Scotland striker will still be at Tynecastle once the January window closes.
Shankland’s contract expires at the end of the season and the 29-year-old has been the subject of intense speculation surrounding his future for some time.
“At the end of January? I have no idea,” McKinlay said.
“I’ve spoken ad nauseam about Lawrence for the last four transfer windows and I genuinely am not sure what else you want me to say about it.
“I’ve put it on record that my gut has always been that he’ll run down his contract. Who knows what will happen in January?”.
While uncertain about what will occur in January, McKinlay says signing a striker is “the priority”.
And he added that “finances are available” to improve head coach Neil Critchley’s forward options.
“There’s a particular striker we’re looking at, but not just one,” McKinlay said.
“Often you don’t get your first choice. We’re looking at a few, all of who have come from Jamestown. Other positions and other things that we do, I think, might depend on what might go out.”