Kye Rowles Hearts exit would need 'mind boggling' transfer fee as Jambos warn off suitors

dailyrecord.co.uk:

World Cup star Kye Rowles won’t be leaving Hearts for anything other than “mind-boggling” money according to Tynecastle supremo Andrew McKinlay.The chief executive has warned interested clubs that bids for the Aussie ace WON’T be welcomed as he accused English football of “taking the mickey” out of clubs north of the border with their transfer valuations.McKinlay hinted anything under £5m would be laughed out of Gorgie but refused to put a price tag on the player who arrived on a three-year deal in June.Rowles was a rock beside Harry Souttar at the heart of the Socceroos side that stormed to the last 16 in Qatar.The summer signing from Central Coast Mariners has only played 10 times for the Jambos after picking up a foot injury in August.But the 24-year-old signed a three-year deal and returned to action in time to take his place in Graham Arnold’s squad and was a key player as they beat Canada and Denmark.That has seen his stock soar ahead of the January transfer window.But McKinlay, speaking after the Hearts AGM at Tynecastle yesterday, wants to see Rowles become a Jambos legend before moving on.He said: “I couldn’t put a number on it.

I am not encouraging it at all.“But it would be a mind-boggling offer that would even make us think it was something we would consider.“I’m not even sure he has played 10 games for us.

He was injured.“What a great signing, he has been brilliant.“I would much rather Kye stayed here, made himself a Hearts legend and then we sell him on and make Hearts money.“I don’t want to put a number on it because that’s the bid that will come in.

But he’s worth a lot of money in my opinion.“We’ve had no approaches and we don’t welcome any approaches for any of our players.“We budgeted for no player