Heart of Midlothian are understood to be interested in Crystal Palace midfielder Malachi Boateng.

As per reports, the club could make the 22-year-old the eighth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Yan Dhanda, Blair Spittal, James Penrice, Musa Drammeh, Gerald Taylor, Daniel Oyegoke and Ryan Fulton.

Hearts could face competition from England and Europe to secure what would likely be a permanent deal.

Boateng has spent the last two seasons in Scottish football. He was on loan at Queen's Park as the Spiders chased promotion to the Premiership in the 2022/23 campaign. He would be named in the Championship Team of the Year. Dundee, who won the second tier, then brought him back to Scotland on loan for last season.

The English-born Ghanaian made more than 70 appearances across his two spells, impressing as a defensive midfielder with an ability to break up attacks and his smart use of the ball.

Boateng would deepen Steven Naismith's midfield ranks further. Beni Baningime and Calem Nieuwenhof have been unable to take part in the full preseason and he could be without the services of the latter for the start of the season with the Australian unable to undertake a full pre-season and recently visiting a specialist over an issue around his recovery from a hamstring issue.

Meanwhile, Toby Sibbick has departed, joining Wigan Athletic on a two-year deal, and the club have re-signed goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald who has signed a one-year deal with the B team.