Hearts Hitman Cláudio Braga Draws Premier League Interest from Brighton & Crystal Palace

Hearts’ hotshot Cláudio Braga is once again attracting Premier League interest, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

The Jam Tarts’ top scorer has helped fire the club to within touching distance of a famous Scottish Premiership title with 12 strikes so far this term.

Derek McInnes’ charges are five points clear in the title race as they look to become the first club outside of Old Firm duo Celtic and Rangers to lift the trophy in 41 years, when Sir Alex Ferguson famously led Aberdeen to the title.

It would be Hearts’ first league triumph for 66 years, but the club are well aware that their success this season has put their stars in the shop window.

And Braga, who only moved to Tynecastle Park last summer, is top of the list.

The Portuguese hitman, joined the club for a reported fee of around £400,000, is on the radar of Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace after his stunning run of form this term. 

Both clubs are looking for reinforcements as they look to bolster their strike stocks this summer. 

Our sources understand one of the clubs are readying a bid in the region of £5million for the 26-year-old, who is contracted at the club until 2028. 

Burnley made a move for the forward in January, however it failed to materialise. 

Celtic Keen 

Braga could remain in Scotland even if he does leave Hearts, with Celtic interested in the hitman who could deny them a fifth title in a row.

The Bhoys are understood to have drawn up a shortlist, which includes Braga, of names in their quest to sign a new striker having missed out on Kasper Høgh during the winter window. 

They signed Junior Adamu and Tomas Cvancara, who have scored once each, on loan from the Bundesliga whilst summer free agent signing Kelechi Iheanacho has failed to fire. 

Previous target Callum Wilson has agreed terms over a one-year extension at West Ham United.