Hearts starlet Rocco Friel is reportedly in talks with QPR.

The right-back or right midfielder has a host of English clubs keeping tabs on his status with his contract expiring at Tynecastle.

The Daily Record report QPR are hoping to finalise a deal with Friel - who has been called up to the Scotland under-19 squad.

However, it's thought Hearts are keen to keep hold of the 17-year-old who is in the final months of his current contract.

Friel would be free to leave Hearts in the summer should no new deal be signed at Tynecastle - however the Edinburgh club would be due training and development compensation if he joins a new club.

Leicester and Derby County have also been linked with a move for Friel having reportedly had the teenager on trial for training sessions.

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It's claimed Premier League-bound Leicester and newly promoted Championship side Derby are keeping an eye on Friel after watching the former Rangers youngster up close.

Friel - who has yet to feature for the Hearts first-team - has turned out 14 times for Liam Fox's Hearts B team this term. In those outings, Friel contributed two goals and three assists.

Meanwhile, Lawrence Shankland insists he is paying no attention to transfer speculation as he focuses his efforts on Hearts.

“The transfer market’s there for everybody to get excited about and talk about and I just leave it at that," he said. "It’s just outside noise. It doesn’t affect me at all until someone comes knocking on my door and says, ‘This is the position you’re in’. Until that point I don’t take any interest in it.

“I suppose it’s flattering, it’s a bit of recognition that you’re doing your job and that’s all I see it as. Most of what there is is just talk. But we’ll see what happens, I’ve a year left on my contract at Hearts. We’ll see if there’s a decision to be made in the summer.”