West Ham United and Derby County were reportedly interested in signing Callum Paterson from Heart of Midlothian in the January transfer window.
Heart of Midlothian defender Callum Paterson wants to leave the club, according to head coach Ian Cathro.
Cathro recently revealed that Paterson, who is 22 years of age and operates as a right-back, wants to leave the Scottish Premiership club at the end of the season.
The Scotland international’s current contract with Hearts runs out at the end of the season.
Paterson is recovering from cruciate and medial ligament damage to his left knee at the moment, and he will not be fully fit until September.
“I think that’s an unlikely situation,” Cathro recently told The Edinburgh Evening News when asked if Paterson will follow in the footsteps of Jack Hamilton, John Souttar and Rory Currie and sign a new contract with Hearts.
“Callum has been very honest in his dialogue with the club, even a long time before I became involved.
“It probably is the point – and I respect his view on that – for him to take the next step in his career. We have suffered the [injury] situation we have suffered. It’s a horrible situation for him.
“It was a moment where, most likely, the offer was going to be there for him to move and take that next challenge in his career. That’s what he wants to do. I respect that.
“It’s been an honest dialogue throughout. These are situations that we need to just manage almost day-to-day.”
According to The Edinburgh Evening Times, Hearts would be due between £400,000 and £450,000 in training compensation. That is something that both West Ham United and Derby County can afford.
Premier League outfit West Ham and Championship club Derby were linked with moves for the youngster in the January transfer window.
The Daily Record claimed that the Hammers were on the brink of signing Paterson, but they did not make the move due to the serious injury he suffered. The Derby Telegraph claimed Derby’s interest in the Scotland international defender.
Despite being on the sidelines at the moment, Paterson seems determined to move to English football.
This is the kind of attitude that teams like West Ham and Derby need. While the Hammers would be aiming to break into the top six of the Premier League next season, the Rams would be targeting a Championship playoff spot.
Paterson is a good and promising right-back who would be a success in England. True, the youngster will not be fit until September and may not return to his best until the end of next year, in the long run he could prove to be well worth the compensation fee.
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