On-loan Norwich striker Steven Naismith is said to be close to agreeing a deal to make his loan move to Scottish Premier League side Hearts permanent.

The Scottish striker, who hasn't featured for Hearts since the end of February following an operation on a knee cartilage, has been on loan at Tynecastle since January 2018.

According to The Express, Naismith is close to penning a long term deal with the club, having turned down interest from the MLS to do so, with the striker's contract at Carrow Road set to expire at the end of the season.

The news will also come as a potential blow to Birmingham City, who had only recently been reported as taking an interest of their own in bringing the striker to St Andrews' during the summer transfer window.

The verdict

While the exploits of Teemu Pukki, Emi Buendia and co. mean that Norwich themselves haven't and probably will continue not to miss the services of Naismith, this is a blow for Birmingham.

The clubs financial position puts them in a difficult position should the expected bids for top scorer Che Adams come in in the summer, so the option of a striker such as Naismith on a free transfer would have been an appealing one for The Blues.