Rangers have approached John Souttar with the Scotland cap's Hearts contract winding down, according to a report.
The Jambos centre-back has just months left to run on his deal at Tynecastle.
Herald and Times Sport claim Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who added American James Sands to his ranks on Wednesday, wants to snap up defender Souttar given uncertainty over several members of their own back-line.
Connor Goldson is in a similar situation with regards to his Rangers terms and is now expected to depart by the start of next season.
And there's doubts over former Bournemouth man Jack Simpson, who appears out of the picture under the new manager.
Sheffield United, Blackburn Rovers and Nottingham Forest are all interested in Souttar and would provide stern competition for his signature.
But Rangers are pressing on while if Hearts do lose their star man at the back they still have a number of other contract conundrums to solve.
Craig Halkett and Stephen Kingsley are also out of contract in under six months and along with Souttar that's the entirety of Robbie Neilson's back three, although keeper Craig Gordon signed a new two-and-a-half year deal on Hogmanay.
