Former Hibs midfielder Ryan Gauld could have his pick of clubs across the world when his contract at relegation-threatened Portuguese side Farense expires at the end of the season.
The 25-year-old departed Dundee United for Sporting Club as a teenager before a series of loan spells, including to Easter Road.
Gauld departed the Lisbon giants in the summer to return to the Faro-based club and has starred with five goals in 18 games despite the club struggling at the bottom of the Primeira Liga.
It has attracted several clubs to the Algarve club’s door, with the diminutive midfielder out of contract at the end of the season when he could be an outside bet to link up with Steve Clarke's Scotland side for the summer's European Championships.
Reports suggest several clubs from MLS are considering a move for him at the end of his contract, while former club Sporting have been quoted as considering a return move.
A number of other European sides are also rumoured to be monitoring his situation, with a new deal at Farense looking unlikely.
Sporting inserted a €60 million release clause into Gauld’s contract when they plucked him from Scottish football in 2014.
They also have a sell-on clause inserted in his deal in the Algarve, but that now seems to be irrelevant.
Gauld made just six appearances for the Easter Road side during an injury-hit loan spell in 2019.
It remains to be seen whether Gauld would contemplate a return to Lisbon after being unhappy at his treatment while at the club.
Speaking last year, he said: "There’s a good side and a bad side, that people don’t really see. One thing I came away from Sporting having not enjoyed was the way I was dealt with.
"The positive side is they are a huge club, known all over Europe, and to be a part of that for a few years was an honour."
