Yank tycoon Jambos bid

SunSport can reveal the US investor has been investigating a Jambos buyout.

A UK-based middle man is working on behalf of the Stateside financier. Hearts’ future is shrouded in doubt after Ukio Bankas went bust last month.

The Lithuanian bank is around £300million in the red and owed £15m by the Jambos.

The Tynecastle club’s debt could be called in as administrators Valnetas UAB begin their work.

Any move by the bean counters to recoup the cash owed would almost certainly plunge Hearts into administration.

That could then see Valnetas auction off ownership of the club to the highest bidder.

An alternative could be for them to try to flog off Tynecastle and other assets.

But it’s understood the American’s go-between has already opened lines of communication with Valnetas in a bid to be one step ahead, whatever scenario arises.

Currently all discussions are at a very preliminary stage — but the Yank IS keen to get the ball rolling if the conditions are right.

Valnetas’ presence has freed the club from Vladimir Romanov’s hands.

Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray and his umbrella group of Jambos fans had hoped their own bid to gain control would not be challenged.

SunSport revealed in January a Scandinavian consortium were keen to link up with fans group the Hearts Foundation to purchase the club.

That interest is still alive and a group headed by one-time Livingston owner Angelo Massone is also still watching closely.

Meanwhile, Hearts have told kids Callum Tapping and Dylan McGowan they are staying next season.

But Lithuanian midfielder Denis Prychynenko is being released.

He made only one start but said: “Thanks for all the great memories. I fell in love with Scotland, Edinburgh and Hearts. I’ll never forget.”