Exclusive: Blackburn Rovers & Preston North End join Watford in transfer chase for Hearts player

Exclusive: Watford is pursuing a Hearts player with Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End.

The 30-year-old center-half is currently a member of a team that, despite all odds, is dominating the Scottish Premiership standings. Derek McInnes’ team is still undefeated after 12 games, taking advantage of the sluggish beginnings of Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers.

Due to his accomplishments at Tynecastle, uncapped Scotsman Halkett has drawn a lot of interest from south of the border, therefore they may lose one of their most important players in January or next summer. Watford was one of the teams monitoring Halkett’s circumstances in Edinburgh, according to Football League World on October 30. His current deal, which was signed in January 2024, is scheduled to expire at the end of the current campaign.

However, FLW has learnt that the two Lancashire teams in the Championship, Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End, who play each other at Deepdale on Friday night, are also in the running for the central defender. Given that Halkett will be available as it now stands on a pre-contract agreement for the upcoming season at the beginning of 2026, a cut-price trade in January may be on the table. It is reported that scouts from both teams have seen Halkett in action on several times this season.

This season, Halkett has been excellent for Hearts at both ends of the pitch. He has scored three goals in his 11 appearances for McInnes’ team, and he added two more goals in a Scottish League Cup match against Stirling Albion in July. He joined Hearts in 2019 after moving from Livingston, and during his more than six years there, he has made over 150 appearances for the Jam Tarts across all competitions. However, he missed a significant portion of the 2022–2023 season due to a hamstring injury, which was followed by a chronic knee problem that kept him out for nearly a whole year.

Given that Scott Wharton has sustained an injury that could keep him out for a long time, Blackburn may need to reinforce their defence alternatives as soon as possible. Under head coach Valerien Ismael, who has ruled outlanding a free agent before the January transfer window opens, winger Ryan Hedges has had to fill in on the left side of a back three. Halkett seems to be being considered by the Frenchman and his recruitment team for the second half of the season and beyond.

Preston, on the other hand, have a slightly better defensive line, albeit Lewis Gibson is currently out due to an injury he sustained against Sheffield United in October. Paul Heckingbottom’s current options at the back for the Lilywhites are Jordan Storey, Liam Lindsay, Andrew Hughes, and Odel Offiah. However, he may be looking to bolster his defensive unit come January, with Halkett appearing to be very much available as it stands because of his ongoing contract situation.

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