Hibs are set to submit a third bid for St Johnstone ’s Jamie McCart.
The Easter Road club have already had two bids booted out by the Saints as Jack Ross looks to beef up his back line.
The Perth club failed tosecure Europa Conference League group stage football after losing to LASK of Austria at McDiarmid Park
Guaranteed European football would've greatly enhance their financial position and would dangled a big carrot in front of McCart to persuade him to stay.
But Hibs are now likely to test their resolve with another offer.
It’s understood they’ll face competition from Bournemouth and Swansea for his signature.
A recent head injury to Paul Hanlon left Ross light on central defenders. Veteran Darren McGregor stepped in but at 36, isn’t going to be playing on for that much longer and with clubs still interested in Ryan Porteous, reinforcements are needed.
McCart is in the final year of his contract at St Johnstone and played every minute for Callum Davidson last season as he helped them to a historic cup double.
Boyhood Hibee and Saints captain Jason Kerr had been linked with Hibs at the start of the summer.
But given the interest in him and the player making positive noises about extending his stay at the club, McCart is seen as the more realistic and more likely less expensive option.
