Leeds United in hunt for Hearts defender

Leon Wobschall

Leeds United are in the running to sign highly-rated young Heart of Midlothian defender Kevin McHattie.

The crisis-ridden Edinburgh outfit, saddled by crippling debts of £25m, served notice of their intention to appoint an administrator on Monday – three days after their entire playing squad was put up for sale.

A quartet of players, including left-back McHattie, who turns 20 next month, have reportedly attracted interest from English clubs, as Hearts desperately seek funds to keep them running over the summer – with the vultures circling.

Leeds are believed to have enquired about Glenrothes-born McHattie, who has been capped four times by Scotland Under-21s and also represented his country at under-17 level – and he is expected to be available for a cut-price fee.

McHattie, rated as one of the most promising young talents at Tynecastle – if not the best, enjoyed a breakthrough 2012-13 season for the Jambos, forced to reduce costs and blood youngsters last term after parting company with a number of senior players.

United, whose 2013-14 Championship fixture last list was revealed this morning, have so far completed just one incoming close-season transfer, with big striker Matt Smith to officially join the club on a two-year deal on July 1. A deal to sign former Reading forward Noel Hunt remains very much on the cards and is expected to go through shortly, with boss Brian McDermott having also made several other offers for players as he bids to formulate his squad for next season's campaign, which kicks off on August 3.

The rumour mill has linked United with several other possible targets, including Celtic forward Anthony Stokes and Birmingham striker Marlon King, who spent an ill-fated loan spell at the club towards the end of the 2004-05 season.

Former Sunderland player Stokes is reportedly a back-up option if moves to bring in Wolverhampton Wanderers' Republic of Ireland international Kevin Doyle flounder, but he is not understood to be a target for United.

Similarly, speculation linking King, 33, with a move to Elland Road appears to be wide of the mark, according to sources close to the player.

King is one of a number of high-earners at St Andrews who have been told they can leave the cash-strapped Blues for free.

Blues are hoping to offload King, Peter Lovenkrands, Darren Ambrose and Hayden Mullins in a cost-cutting measure, with boss Lee Clark admitting there has been interest in the players.

King, top-scorer for Birmingham for the past two seasons, has a year left on his contract and is expected to be fit for pre-season training.

He underwent knee surgery in March, which kept him out for the remainder of the last campaign.

Meanwhile, former Whites winger Max Gradel has dismissed suggestions he could be set for a return to England following reported interest from Premier League new boys Cardiff City and Hull City.

The 25-year-old, a big favourite during his time at Elland Road, moved to Ligue One outfit St Etienne in 2001 and has gone onto establish himself for both his club and the Ivory Coast.

But his current priority is recovering from a knee injury he sustained back in March.

He said: "I have been linked with a return to England, but to be honest, I am more interested in healing my injury. I have been out now for four months – hopefully I will be ok in two months' time.

"I love England, but at the moment, I like it in France. Hull City and Cardiff are good teams, but the Premier League will be tough for them, but they can surprise like Swansea."