Hearts are reportedly set to lose their captain and star striker Lawrence Shankland to Rangers this summer.
Shankland scored 16 goals in 28 Scottish Premiership appearances as Hearts came agonisingly close to pipping Celtic and Rangers to the title.
It was a season that would ultimately end in heartbreak for Hearts as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at Celtic in a title decider on the final day.
The Scotland international has been a mainstay at Tynecastle for the past four seasons and his departure would be a significant blow as the club looks to go one better next season.
We've put together a list of five strikers who Hearts could look at as a potential replacement for Shankland.
Tawanda Maswanhise
Zimbabwean striker Tawanda Maswanhise finished the 2025/26 season as the top goalscorer in the Scottish Premiership with 17 goals.
Maswanhise has spent the last two seasons at Motherwell following his release by Leicester City in the summer of 2024.
A modest return of six goals in his first season has been followed by a breakthrough campaign and he has already been linked with various clubs.
His pace and versatility could make him a shrewd capture if Hearts are faced with the unenviable task of trying to replace Shankland.
David Datro Fofana
David Datro Fofana has been on the books at Chelsea since January 2023 and he has had five loan moves away from the club in that time.
He showed some promise at Burnley in the 2023/24 season and he started the 2025/26 campaign at Fatih Karagümrük in Turkey, scoring eight goals in 15 appearances.
After ending the campaign goalless in nine matches at Strasbourg, Fofana's future looks certain to be away from Stamford Bridge.
Now aged 23, Fofana will be wanting to find regular first-team football and a permanent home if he is to fulfil his early potential.
Daryl Dike
USA international Daryl Dike is looking for a new club after being released by West Bromwich Albion.
Dike didn't enjoy the best of times in the Midlands and he only managed two goals in 22 games during the 2025/26 season.
The 25-year-old needs to rediscover the goalscoring form of his younger years and he is worth the risk for Hearts on a free transfer.
Joel Pohjanpalo
Finland striker Joel Pohjanpalo has been a consistent goalscorer in Serie B in recent years.
The 31-year-old has represented his country on 87 occasions and he has scored 25 goals for Palermo in Italy's second-tier this season.
He could be available following Palermo's unsuccessful play-off challenge and his experience could be invaluable in Edinburgh.
Pohjanpolo was signed for a reported €5.5 million in February 2025 and Palermo would want to recoup as much of that fee as possible if they lose their star striker.
Lorent Tolaj
Swiss striker Lorent Tolaj has scored 21 goals in all competitions for Plymouth Argyle this season.
Tolaj has been able to build on the promise he showed at Aldershot Town and Port Vale to become one of the best strikers in League One.
His performances have seen him linked with a number of teams in England and Scotland.
Tolaj is likely to command a fee of around £3m - £4m and Hearts should have money in the bank if the Shankland deal goes through.
