When it comes to the January transfer window in Gorgie 2006 will always be the barometer. It can best be described as infamous with 11 [ELEVEN] new players arriving that month as Vladimir Romanov looked to bolster a title challenge.

Heart of Midlothian had entered January four points behind Celtic in the league but it would become seven on New Year's Day, owing to the 3-2 defeat at Tynecastle Park. That month Lee Johnston, Nerijus Barasa, Neil McCann, Chris Hackett, Jose Goncalves, Juho Makela, Bruno Aguiar, Mirsad Beslija, Ludek Straceny, Martin Petras and Rais M'Bohli would all arrive. Deadline day was frantic, listening to BBC's Through the Window as more and more players arrived.

A sensible transfer approach? Perhaps not. An exciting one? You bet!

READ MORE: Why Scott Fraser can be a Hearts star and where he fits in Steven Naismith's XI

The likelihood of a handful of players arriving at the club today and then Naismith being paraded with them in a line on the Tynecastle Park pitch is low. Very, very low. Hearts expect to be quiet. Steven Naismith's message after the win over Aberdeen at the weekend was: "We’re not planning on being busy". But this is deadline day and things can change quickly.

With the right-back priority sorted in Dexter Lembikisa and Scott Fraser providing another forward-thinking midfield option, what can we expect between now and the 10.30pm deadline?

Lawrence Shankland

The name on everyone's lips. Hearts have still had no offers or inquiries about the player regarding a move this month. But a second contract offer has been made, the club are keen to extend his deal until 2027. A move that would see him become the highest-paid player at Tynecastle.

In terms of a deadline on the offer, next steps and what could materialise, it is all very quiet currently. 

Yan Dhanda

Hearts have agreed a pre-contract with the Ross County playmaker. Dhanda would no doubt be keen to swap a possible relegation battle for a team in a strong position in third, while also being closer to family in England. It would also allow him to integrate into the squad without any external pressure to deliver straight away.

The Tynecastle Park club have held conversations with the Staggies this month regarding a permanent deal. County, understandably, have been keen to hold onto him and were reluctant to name a price. After all, he is a key player and could be the difference between finishing 10th or one of the bottom two positions. 

It has since been reported that it would take Hearts £100,000 to bring the player to Tynecastle before the deadline. In terms of urgency, Hearts are in a strong position. There is no desperate need for Dhanda due to where the team are in the league and the 10-point advantage in third, plus the addition of Fraser.

READ MORE: How recruitment works at Hearts - transfer process, missed targets, scouting markets

James Penrice

The Livingston defender is a wanted man with the player viewed as a pre-contract opportunity by most clubs in the Premiership and in England. Hearts will likely be at the very front of that queue.

Penrice very much falls into the sensible target category, alongside Dhanda. Players who have good experience and are proven in the Scottish Premiership. He, like Cochrane, can play as a left-back, wing-back or further up pitch and has experience of playing in midfield and even on the right. 

David Martindale spoke about him this week and said he doesn't expect him to leave this month.

Outgoings

Hearts don't expect to lose anyone before the window but that would change if an offer the club can't refuse comes in for a player.

"We have a great squad of players and there are guys who haven’t played as much as they want," Naismith said. "If they want to go and we can do it and we can maybe replace them then we might do it. There is nobody desperately wanting to leave."

Looking around the squad, the three first-team players who have been more peripheral figures are Toby Sibbick, Kyosuke Tagawa and Peter Haring, albeit the latter has been dealing with an injury. On the flipside, key assets include Shankland, Alex Cochrane and Kye Rowles.

READ MORE: Steven Naismith: Hearts recruitment role, squad evaluation and 4 transfer categories

Contracts

The club have held talks with both Craig Gordon and Beni Baningime and the duo are viewed as important members of the squad going forward under Naismith. Following the extension for Craig Halkett sporting director Joe Savage said: "I’m hopeful that some more good news is on the horizon.”