Beni Baningime in Hearts contract clue as star is glaring omission from trio departure announcement

Beni Baningime's absence from Hearts confirming which of their first team players will be moving on this summer has fans speculating that a new deal is imminent.

The former Everton youth is out of contract in a few weeks and the Jambos faithful are keen for him to extend his stay in Gorgie beyond then. Talks have been ongoing with Baningime but with no real updates as the season drew to a close, many were resigned to losing the 25-year-old.

But fresh hope has been offered in the shape of the Tynecastle club's latest announcement on who will be departing. Long serving Austrian Peter Haring will bring a six-year stint in the capital to an end. The club's longest serving player will move on after initially signing under Craig Levein in 2018. Andy Halliday will also be heading for the exit door. The former Rangers man has spent the second part of the season on loan at Motherwell and will continue at Fir Park permanently next season on a one-year deal.

Backup keeper Michael McGovern will also take his leave without making a top team appearance. However, the main takeaway for fans is the absence of any mention of Baningime. He dropped a big hint last week when discussing his future, and now fans are convinced that he'll be wearing maroon next term.

"I have made my decision and very soon, everyone will know about it," he told the Edinburgh Evening News. "I know where I am going to be playing next year. A reason it probably took so long to make a decision is because I need to speak with my family.

“I have had a talk with my family as a whole, together, with the gaffer and different people. Ultimately I have got enough information to make a decision now and you will have to wait and see. It’s going to be interesting."