Hearts summer transfers: Who will stay and who could go

That is the way Steven Naismith wants Heart of Midlothian to operate. Have a strong core to provide continuity and a solid base to allow newcomers time to settle in and adapt without the pressure of having to produce straight away.

The club will enter a hectic season with stability when key rivals are undergoing a change in the management department.

Naismith has also been open in stating he won't stand in the way of a player who is not playing regularly and has opportunities elsewhere providing it suits the club.

With that in mind, it is pertinent to analyse the current first-team squad. Who will stay, who will attract interest and who could be playing their football away from Gorgie?

READ MORE: What Steven Naismith will encounter on UEFA Pro-Licence: 2 years, 360 hours, language

Goalkeepers

Zander Clark (contract expires 2025)

The biggest compliment you can give the 31-year-old is that his performances were such that it wasn't a given that Craig Gordon would replace him following a return from injury. If anything that has only strengthened in the second half of the season. A host of consistent displays and clean sheets made him undroppable. It makes the goalkeeping dynamic next season all the more fascinating. If it transpired Gordon was to be No.1 and Clark wanted first-team football he wouldn't be short of suitors.

Craig Gordon (2025)

The 41-year-old wants to play regularly. He wants to be Hearts No.1 and he wants to break records. It's an unenviable position Naismith will be in trying to keep both of his goalkeepers happy. It is a balance he achieved last season. If happy is too strong then somewhat content. It's not hard to picture a scenario where Gordon plays one more season with Clark viewed as the undoubted successor but much can change and you wouldn't put it past Gordon carrying on for another two or three seasons.

Harry Stone (2025)

A loan move to Ayr United was confirmed at the weekend. It allows Stone to make the step up to the Championship and continue his development. Hearts have high hopes for the academy product and an extension to his current contract is expected.

Defenders

Nathaniel Atkinson (2025)

Right-back is a priority position for the club in the transfer window. Atkinson has shown his quality in spells, including at the start of the season before injury, but in his two-and-a-half years, he's not managed to make the right-back role his own. He appeared to fall out of Naismith's plans towards the end of the season, featuring once in the final five matches. The one game he did appear in he apologised for his performance on social media afterward. As things stand, it would be a surprise to get to September with Atkinson still a Hearts player.

Dexter Lembikisa (on loan)

A wing-back rather than a right-back, Lembikisa demonstrated his attacking qualities but still needs work on the defensive side of his game and his use of the ball. Speaking at the end of the season, Naismith left the door open about a potential return and if that were to materialise it would be as a squad option.

Toby Sibbick (2025)

The 25-year-old's future was pondered on Hearts Standard recently. While he has some really good attributes he has lacked consistency, both in terms of level of performance and where he has played. His versatility does counts in his favour for a long season. However, it is hard to see Hearts being too difficult to deal with this window over a possible sale with interest from England in the past.

Craig Halkett (2026)

Hearts will be hoping a full pre-season will set the centre-back up for a strong 2024/25 campaign where he is available regularly after two seasons ravaged by injury. Fans have been frustrated with how little he has been available but Naismith views him as an important member of the team with a new contract handed out midway through last season. A fully-fit Craig Halkett is an excellent defensive option.

Frankie Kent (2026)

It would not be surprising if English clubs were sniffing around the centre-back. Consider his qualities, no-nonsense defensive approach, experience, leadership skills and availability (he's averaged more than 42 games in each of his last seven seasons). The good news is that he's settled into life at Hearts and Edinburgh, is a key member of the dressing room, striking up strong relationships with team-mates and will have European football to look forward to. A valuable player.

Stephen Kingsley (2025)

Up there with Kent as the team's best defender last season and in the top three best performers overall when you add Lawrence Shankland into the equation. The 29-year-old is someone who provides continuity in the dressing room and understanding of Scottish football. His versatility is hugely beneficial. Hearts should be looking to tie down beyond 2025.

Kye Rowles (2028)

A strong campaign overall after difficulties following the World Cup last season. He benefits from a partner who relishes the physical aspect of the game. Has spoken of his desire to play in Europe after missing the group stages last time out. Under contract for four more years, another strong campaign could lead to interest.

Lewis Neilson (2025)

A very interesting summer ahead for the defender after a loan spell at Partick Thistle. He lost his place in the backline toward the end and ended up getting game time in midfield. Will likely be given the summer to work his way into the defensive set-up, even as a squad member. Should minutes be limited a short-term loan could be on the cards.

Alex Cochrane (2025)

This summer is perhaps the last chance for Hearts to make decent money from the Englishman. With expected interest from clubs in the Championship, Cochrane could be the perfect example of a player-trading model. Initially brought in on loan, impressed and then bought permanently. He has been given a platform to showcase his talent and made more than 120 appearances. Still 24 and versatile, he ticks plenty of boxes. Understood to have a professional outlook and a real desire to test himself at the highest level.

Midfielders

Beni Baningime (2026)

A vital cog at the base of the midfield. Has signed a contract extension and will continue to be an important player for Steven Naismith.

Cammy Devlin (2025)

The Australian told Hearts Standard he would love to extend his stay at Tynecastle Park. Could be set for a productive season after beginning to impress in a new role under Naismith. Gets the club and could become a stalwart.

Calem Nieuwenhof (2026)

Had found his stride as a Hearts player before suffering what turned out to be a season-ending injury against Celtic. Will be expected to continue his progress next season and become even more assertive in the Hearts midfield.

Jorge Grant (2025)

The 29-year-old may just be the most curious of the Hearts first-team squad when it comes to analysing his future. Last summer he could easily have left but a move didn't quite materialise. He played his way into the starting XI and put in some excellent displays, notably in the win at Celtic, and his raw data was hugely impressive. Yet he started just 15 games in the league and was an unused sub in two of the final three games, missing the other entirely due to illness. Then you add in the arrivals of Blair Spittal and Yan Dhanda and begin to wonder where he fits. It could well be another summer where Hearts are willing to listen to offers.

Aidan Denholm (2026)

In his first season as a member of the first team, Denholm should be very happy with 25 appearances. It gives the 20-year-old something to build on and the aim will be to get more minutes and more starts. His versatility helps as does his box-to-box qualities. He should continue to contribute to the squad.

Macaulay Tait (2028)

The teenager has plenty of time on his side and the expectation from fans shouldn't be to want too much too quickly. Like Denholm, more involvement will be a positive campaign and he should get it with the hectic schedule.

Finlay Pollock (2025)

A big season coming up for the 19-year-old. Highly rated at Tynecastle, he was on crutches toward the end of the season and if it wasn't for injuries could well have been an established member of the first team. Naismith has spoken of his physicality and of him being one of the best athletes at the club. He's not someone Hearts will give up on easily.

Scott Fraser (on loan)

Many Hearts fans have already made up their decision on the future of the midfielder. Don't be surprised, however, to see him back at Tynecastle. Naismith rates him highly and believes the No.6 position suits his game. After the 2-2 draw with St Mirren he said: "He’s not had a chance to play in there but showed his calmness on the ball and his understanding of how to find space. So it gave us an opportunity to see him."

Forwards

Lawrence Shankland (2025)

Once again Shankland is set to be at the centre of rampant transfer speculation. But rather than six weeks or so during the middle of the season it will be the whole summer. As of yet, like the winter, Hearts have had no interest in their top scorer. That could easily change should he do well at Euro 2024. Hearts valued the player at £5million-plus in January and remain in a unique position where his value to the club in terms of Europe is likely more than clubs may be willing to pay for him due to him being in the final year of his deal. Most fans would be more than happy for him to walk away for free next summer if it meant one more year of watching the club's greatest goal scorer since John Robertson.

Kenneth Vargas (2029)

The Costa Rican could return to the club with Copa America experience. There is a lot of excitement around Vargas after a really productive first season in Scottish football. Should become even more prominent and it may not be long before he is the club's biggest asset.

Alan Forrest (2026)

Sorted his future out during last season as he emerged as a key player in Naismith's forward line. Provides plenty of energy and versatility. Next season will be about adding more numbers and eclipsing his nine goal contributions. 

Liam Boyce (2025)

Like Halkett, will make a big difference if fit for the season. Can somewhat replicate Shankland's qualities outside of the box as a striker or can play in withdrawn roles. Loads of experience and is one of the most intelligent players at the club. Let's just say it, him and Halkett could be like new signings.

Barrie McKay (2025)

This past season is one the playmaker will want to forget. For the first time in his career, he was impacted by injury issues. Provided a snapshot of what the team missed in the win over Livingston. Another string to the Hearts attacking bow should he, like Boyce, remain injury-free and have a good pre-season.

Yutaro Oda (2026)

For recruitment analysts, Oda will likely raise a few interested eyebrows due to his goal contributions to minutes on the pitch ratio. Quick and direct he can be a handful. Hearts will want more consistency but certainly huge potential to develop further. 

Kyosuke Tagawa (2026)

The Japanese striker shouldn't be written off. He still has two years left to run on his deal and demonstrated his finishing prowess in the final two games of the season. Still, he needs to show more in his all-round game. Will be given the chance to impress during pre-season to show he will contribute even more next campaign.

James Wilson (2025)

When looking at the players out of contract at the end of next season, Wilson will be top of the list to extend. He has broken into the first-team fold and is only 17. He is expected to be part of Naismith's plans next season.