An inconsistent (or injured) winger for the majority of his first two-and-a-half seasons at Tynecastle, he was electric in the second half of the 2022/23 campaign, scoring regularly, stretching the opposition and building up a terrific partnership with Lawrence Shankland after being converted into a forward.
With the player previously admitting he wants to be closer to his family – who currently stay down south – it’s looking increasingly likely that he moves on with his contract up this summer, especially as Maccabi Haifa are another contender who can offer Champions League football.
With this in mind, this author has put on his scouting cap and tried to identify a group of forwards with similar styles to Ginnelly which Hearts can target and realistically get this transfer window.
With this in mind, this author has put on his scouting cap and tried to identify a group of forwards with similar styles to Ginnelly which Hearts can target and realistically get this transfer window.
. EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JULY 31: Josh Ginnelly of Hearts during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Heart of Midlothian and Celtic at Tynecastle Park on July 31, 2021 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)
Josh Ginnelly looks like he could be leaving Hearts this summer. Picture: Getty Photo: Steve Welsh
. Dipo Akinyemi (Ayr United)
The top scorer in the Scottish Championship last season would represent something of a gamble as we're yet unsure whether he can do it in the top flight, but then people said the same of Lawrence Shankland. A fee in the low six-figures would be required, however, as he still has a year left on his deal. Photo: Pete Norton
. Siriki Dembele (Bournemouth)
Raised in Scotland since he was 8, the winger/striker is the older brother of Karamoko Dembele, who was once labelled a 'wonderkid' at Celtic. Siriki was loaned out by Bournemouth in January to Auxerre and will likely be shipped out again with first-team opportunities limited in the EPL. Hearts should have a decent relationship with the Cherries after James Hill's loan. Photo: FRED TANNEAU
5. Sam Nombe (Exeter City)
An up-and-coming talent this one, Nombe scored a career-high 17 goals last season in League One for an Exeter side who finished in the bottom half. He's only got one year left on his contract and, at 24, should have ambitions of moving up the football ladder. Photo: Michael Regan
6. Ricky Jade-Jones (Peterborough United)
Bit more of a flier, this option. At only 20 years old with a long-term deal, he's someone the Posh have high hopes for the future with manager Darren Ferguson describing him as "the quickest player I’ve ever managed”. But he only started 10 games in League One with three goals last term. Photo: Mark Thompson
7. Aboubakary Kante (Huesca)
Let's have another wee trip to the Spanish second tier, shall we? This French-born, Gambian international, has experience at the age of 28 to go with power and pace. He's still got a year left on his deal at Huesca but was in and out of the line-up often last term and may be available for very little. Photo: JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER
8. Kayden Jackson (Ipswich Town)
Another option that would represent experience over any sell-on value at 29 years old. He's been at Ipswich since 2018 and still has a year left on his deal, but is very much a squad player and could perhaps be brought in on loan or signed for nothing a year early. Played 38 times last season but only 11 from the starting XI. Photo: Harry Trump