HEARTS head coach Robbie Neilson has opened the door to Jason Holt's potential switch to Rangers by insisting the club will consider any fair offer for the midfielder.
The 22-year-old is currently out of contract but the Tynecastle side are due a development fee for the gifted playmaker after nurturing him for 13 years.
Hearts could justifiably demand a substantial six-figure sum for Holt under compensation regulations, but Neilson admits he is reluctant to see a gifted youngster left "in limbo" ahead of the new season.
It is a similar situation to St Mirren kid John McGinn, who could cost potential suitors around £250,000 and Gavin Reilly, who arrived at Hearts from Queen of the South last week after the clubs came to a settlement.
Rangers have been credited with an interest in Holt, who scored five goals in 17 outings during a loan spell at Sheffield United, and Neilson says Hearts are ready to be realistic about their valuation of the player.
Neilson said: "I don't envision him having any trouble getting another club but it's up to us to negotiate for a development fee. That is part of football.
"Jason was here since he was a kid - more than 10 years - so it is important the club sees the benefits from developing a player.
"We won't demand silly money for him, we know what the financial situation is in football and we'll take it from there. We don't want to leave the boy in limbo but we need to protect the development fee.
"We have to look after ourselves, which is important, but we are open to any angle [clubs] want to come with."
A shock return to Tynecastle, however, does not appear to be on the cards for Holt, who made 70 appearances for the men in maroon.
Neilson added: "He has decided he doesn't want to be here so we'll move on. If someone doesn't want to be here, then they won't be here. Simple as that.
"But we wish him all the best because he is a great kid and did well well called upon."
Should Holt arrive join the Govan side, he would become the second player to swap Hearts for Rangers this summer following Danny Wilson's return to Ibrox last week.
Holt had been keen to try his luck in England and appeared destined to land a permanent deal with Sheffield United, however the dismissal of Nigel Clough scuppered those plans.
And Neilson would not be surprised if Holt become the latest Jambo to sign on for a season in the Scottish second tier.
He added: "Nothing surprises you in football! Jason is a very good player, he did well at Sheffield United and we were hoping they would take him but it didn't happen.
"They had a change of management that did not help matters. He went down there and scored goals and I am sure he has had offers.
"My focus is on Hearts and we will need to see what develops with regards to Jason."
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