Hearts boss Neilson is up for double signing

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson has moved closer to Jorge Grant and Alex Cochrane after both players agreed terms on a switch to Tynecastle.

Midfielder Grant is set to make the move from Peterborough for a sixfigure fee after falling out of favour under Grant McCann at the Posh.

The 27-year-old joined Peterborough last summer on the back of scoring 17 goals for Lincoln City during the 2020-21 campaign but struggled for game time following Darren Ferguson’s decision to step down as boss in February.

Grant has also been to Edinburgh to check out the club’s facilities and is expected to become a fully-fledged Hearts player in time for next week’s training camp in Spain.

Versatile defender Cochrane has agreed to rejoin Hearts on permanent terms after spending last season on loan from Brighton.

The Seagulls activated the option to extend the 22-year-old’s deal for a further 12 months and Hearts are expected to have to pay a fee for Cochrane.

The left-sided player made 40 appearances for the Gorgie outfit last season, scoring three times.

Queens Park Rangers, Reading and Coventry City had also been linked with Cochrane.

Hearts remain keen on former Dundee United strike Lawrence Shankland and remain in discussions with Belgian outfit Beerschot in the hope of agreeing a fee.

Neilson is attempting to build a squad that can handle playing in both domestic and European football next season.

Hearts have already recruited winger Alan Forrest, and defenders Lewis Neilson and Kye Rowles.

Hearts, meanwhile, have announced that season ticket sales have crashed through the 15,000 barrier.

The club have described that number as their highest in “modern times”.