Dundee United are set to rebuff any Hearts approach for Calum Butcher after the Jambos were linked with the midfielder.
Butcher was part of the United side that convincingly won promotion to the top flight under Robbie Neilson last season.
And the Courier reports that he is interested in linking up with Butcher again at Tynecastle, but the Tangerines don’t want to lose the Englishman.
The 29-year-old is under contract at Tannadice until 2023 so wouldn’t be cheap, even if new boss Micky Mellon and sporting director Tony Asghar were willing to do business.
Butcher is in his second spell at United, having previously played fr the club between 2013 and 2015.
He then headed south and featured for the likes of Burton Albion, Millwall and Mansfield before returning north.
He can also play in defence, where Hearts may need cover if John Souttar isn’t fully fir by the time the season kicks-off, although Christophe Berra’s return from Dundee on loan will negate that.
Neilson made it clear last week tat his priority remains strengthening the wide areas and has been in discussions with Sam Nicholson about a return to Gorgie.
The winger flew back to the UK from the United States this week after leaving Colorado Rapids, but Hearts face competition from Bristol Rovers for his signature.
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