Crystal Palace are monitoring developments with Hearts left back Aaron Hickey but have yet to make a bid.
The promising 17-year old is out of contract at the end of next season but could provide the struggling Scottish Premiership club a financial lifeline if they can agree a fee with suitors now.
Hearts have asked staff to take a 50percent wage cut after coronavirus forced football into lockdown and hit the club’s finances hard.
Manchester City, Everton, Southampton and Celtic have also watched Hickey, who has made 30 appearances this season, but Palace are understood to be best placed at this stage.