Hearts are battling it out with Stoke City for Northern Ireland youngster Trai Hume, according to a report.
The full back is currently on loan at Ballymena from Linfield and new sporting director Joe Savage is reportedly a fan.
But they face stiff competition to sign him with Michael O'Neill keen to take his countryman to Stoke after being impressed by his performances.
Belfast Live report that Hearts are also keen on him, though, and the carrot of an 'easier' path to first team football in Scotland might persuade him to join the Tynecastle side.
Hume has made 14 appearances for Ballymena since joining in September and scored one goal in the Northern Irish top flight.
The 18-year-old is also interesting various other Championship clubs in England and Hearts will need to put in a good offer to get him to Scotland.
Robbie Neilson has spoken about returning to Ireland for players having already signed Aaron McEneff from Shamrock Rovers in the Republic of Ireland.
Hearts have two current Northern Ireland internationals in their side at present with Liam Boyce and Michael Smith both regulars in Ian Baraclough's squad.
