Lawrence Shankland Next Club - Four Realistic Transfer Destinations
Lawrence Shankland, the Hearts captain and Scotland striker, looks poised for a move this transfer window after failing to agree on a new deal at Tynecastle and having been left out of the Jambos' training trip to Spain.
The 29-year-old is out of contract and has scored 68 goals in three seasons for Hearts, underlining his value, and betting sites are now offering Lawrence Shankland next club odds.
Lawrence Shankland Next Club- Four Potential Destinations
With his excellent form in recent seasons, Shankland has attracted interest from multiple clubs.
Here at Free Bets, we've examined four suitable clubs – considering their league level, playing style, and squad situation – who will all be keen to sign Shankland over the summer.
Rangers (Scottish Premiership)
Rangers have been persistently linked with Shankland over the past year, and a free transfer to Ibrox is a very realistic scenario.
The Glasgow giants may need a proven striker this summer – striker Cyriel Dessers is rumoured to be on the way out, leaving a hole up front.
Shankland fits the bill perfectly - he's one of the Scottish Premiership's top performers (68 goals in three seasons) and was the league's top scorer in 2023/24.
Importantly, as a Scotland international and a reported boyhood Rangers fan, he would meet the homegrown quota for European competition and settle quickly.
Rangers' new manager, Russell Martin, has been handed a boost by Shankland's contract impasse at Hearts, putting the club in a prime position to pounce.
Given that Shankland is available for no transfer fee, Rangers can comfortably afford his wages.
The combination of Shankland's scoring pedigree in the Scottish Premiership and the Ibrox club's need for a reliable goal-getter makes this a highly plausible move.
West Bromwich Albion (English Championship)
West Brom have emerged as a leading contender from England to sign Shankland.
The Baggies showed interest early in the window and even spoke to the player's teams about joining their project under new head coach Ryan Mason.
Mason is targeting promotion and sees a new striker as a necessity. Shankland's profile aligns with West Brom's needs - he was the PFA Scotland Player of the Year in 2023-24 after scoring 31 goals, and even in a quieter 2024-25, he contributed with 9 goals and 11 assists.
At 29, he offers experience and finishing ability that Albion's current strikers have lacked, especially with injuries to key forwards.
Crucially the deal is financially feasible – West Brom baulked at his price tag back in 2020, but now that won't be an issue, and his wage demands are expected to be reasonable for a club of West Brom's stature.
Bringing in Shankland would be a savvy move for Albion - it adds a proven scorer to their ranks and could help facilitate the departure of a high earner like Karlan Grant.
With West Brom reportedly trying to convince Shankland to choose them over offers from Saudi Arabia, the Midlands side views this as a realistic coup to fire them back to the Premier League.
Southampton (English Championship)
Southampton have also been credited with an interest in Shankland - according to reports, the Saints are monitoring his situation and considering a move as they strengthen their strike force.
This interest makes sense, given Southampton's circumstances as they prepare for life in the championship, having been relegated from the Premier League last season.
Shankland could be a cost-effective solution to boost their goals tally - he offers a strong pedigree of consistent scoring in a competitive league, along with international experience as a Scotland forward.
For Southampton, who have the resources of a larger club, thanks to parachute payments, signing Shankland on a free transfer is a low-risk and financially sound move.
The club needs a reliable goal-scorer to spearhead another promotion push, and Shankland's goal-tally in Scotland shows he can carry an attack.
While Southampton's interest has been described as 'monitoring' rather than a formal bid, the link is credible.
If Shankland is seeking a step up in competition, joining a club like Southampton – with big ambitions and a likely starting spot available – is a realistic prospect that would benefit both parties.
K.A.A. Gent (Belgian Pro League)
A move to a strong European league is also on the cards for Shankland, and Belgian side K.A.A. Gent stands out as a plausible destination.
Shankland has already demonstrated a willingness to play abroad – he had a stint in Belgium with Beerschot earlier in his career – and now he could return to that country at a higher level.
Gent are a top club in Belgium, regularly competing in European competitions, and they have a track record of recruiting talent from outside the country when good value arises.
Shankland's proven scoring record and experience could appeal to them as an affordable solution.
He has been prolific across multiple clubs, including five goals during his stint with Beerschot, suggesting he can adapt to different leagues.
Importantly, Shankland would incur no transfer fee for Gent, which aligns with the budget-conscious approach of Belgian clubs.
His wages at Hearts were substantial by Scottish standards (Hearts offered to make him their highest-paid player), but they would still be moderate for a club of Gent's size.
With 16 Scotland caps to his name, Shankland also brings an international pedigree that adds credibility.
For Gent, signing a 29-year-old international on a free transfer to lead the line in domestic and European matches is realistic – similar mid-career strikers have thrived in the Jupiler Pro League.
Overall, given Shankland's familiarity with Belgian football and Gent's need for a seasoned goal-scorer, this move would be a logical and feasible next step in his career.
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