From Liam Boyce to Liam Lindsay: What Hearts' five transfer targets would bring to the team

The Jambos have been linked with five new signings as Daniel Stendel looks to overhaul his squad

L-R: Peter Etebo, Adam Davies, Liam Lindsay, Liam Boyce and Mame Biram Diouf

Hearts are in the market for new signings, and have been linked with five players including four from Stoke City. While the club are a long way from completing any potential deals, we take a look at what the quintet would bring to the Tynecastle side...

Liam Boyce, striker, Burton Albion

Northern Irish striker who has previous experience of Scottish football with Ross County and knows where the goal is. Very much a poacher in style, although he has very occasionally been deployed as a wide forward. Has been working on getting into positions in the six-yard box under manager Nigel Clough and is reaping the rewards.

Suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament during the 2018/19 season but netted on his return and doesn't look to have lost his eye for goal.

Adam Davies, goalkeeper, Stoke City

German-born, Wales-capped goalkeeper who played under Daniel Stendel at Barnsley before joining Stoke in the summer of 2019.

Stendel spoke very highly of him during the pair's time at Oakwell, telling the Barnsley Chronicle: "He is not only a very good goalkeeper but he is a very good skipper for our team."

Noted by fans for his "exceptionally good" communcation skills with his defence and kept 67 clean sheets for Barnsley including 20 shut-outs in the Championship, but wasn't beyond the occasional clanger.

Mame Biram Diouf, striker, Stoke City

Senegalese international striker who can count Molde FK, Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers among his former clubs. Scored 45 goals in 86 games for the Norwegian side but struggled to replicate his form in England with United and Rovers.

Had a 71-game spell at Hannover 96 during Stendel's time as Under-17 coach, and hit double figures in his first two seasons including a handful of goals in the Europa League. Joined Stoke in 2014 and hit 12 goals in 38 games in his first season but has only managed single-figure returns for the four following seasons and has one goal from five games so far this term.

Ostensibly a powerful centre-forward with a bit of pace but has also operated on either flank and in right midfield.

Peter Etebo, central midfielder, Stoke City

All-action, versatile Nigerian midfielder with more than 30 caps for his country including appearances at the 2016 Summer Olympics, 2017 Africa Cup of Nations and 2018 World Cup.

A central midfielder by trade, his versatility has also seen him deployed as a left midfielder, on either flank, as a number ten, second striker and occasionally as a centre-forward during spells with Feirense in Portugal, La Liga side Las Palmas and the Potters.

In 51 games for Stoke, Etebo has mostly played in the middle of the park but hasn't featured for the first team since late October.

Liam Lindsay, centre-back, Stoke City

Another of Stendel's former charges, the 6ft 4in Liam Lindsay began his career with Partick Thistle, spending two loan periods with Alloa and Airdrie in 2014 and 2015 respectively, giving him plenty of experience in Scottish football, including the Scottish Premiership.

During his time at Barnsley under Stendel, Lindsay was part of a miserly rearguard that conceded just 39 goals, giving them the best defensive record in the English football league.

Two-footed, strong in the air and good at breaking down attacks, Lindsay is also a threat from set-pieces.