If the Hearts transfer speculation surrounding the former £20 million guy is true, I would be overjoyed.

This is known as the’silly season’ for a reason.

The domestic action has ended, and with players, managers, and agents all off on a beach somewhere, there’s no one home to crush the wild transfer rumours flying around the Premiership. Some will have substance, others will be Jackanory stuff, but if the one I’ve heard circulating – that Hearts are in for Oli McBurnie – turns out to be true, I’d be overjoyed.

Listen, that might turn out to be a bigger load of crap than a Tory election pledge but for me that’s exactly the sort of player Hearts should be pursuing this summer. He’s out of contract at Sheffield United and looking to move on, so why shouldn’t Steven Naismith make an offer to bring him to Tynecastle. He has the allure of European football, a fantastic stadium, some of the greatest training facilities in the country, and the support of a devoted fan base to give the former £20 million player. I believe it is a compelling proposal that will appeal to a large number of gamers.

I just hope the club executives are thinking along the same lines when it comes to making a big signing. This week, I read Naisy claim that the Hearts administration will not jeopardize the club’s long-term viability by spending the £5 million windfall it is expected to get from qualifying for Europe all at once. Given the financial mess the present board has had to unpick over the last decade, of course it’s entirely reasonable that the individuals in control are careful with how they spend their scarce income.

But that doesn’t mean they have to curb their ambition in the transfer market. There are many of ways you may structure a contract or a loan that will allow you to bring in high-quality personnel without breaking the bank or putting the club in peril. However, I believe it is time for the club to think bigger on that front. And I believe we must bring in another striker this summer.

Finding a proven, reliable striker must be the top objective over the next few weeks. I’m not talking about an up-and-coming child with tons of potential or a prospect who can be polished up. We need someone with a reputation for discovering the net – and we should be prepared to pay