Hearts have rejected a bid from Crawley Town for forward Ryan Stevenson.

STV has learned that the offer of £20,000 was dismissed by the Tynecastle club, who are looking for a six-figure sum for the 27-year-old.

The English League Two club, who failed in an earlier attempt to sign Rudi Skacel from the Edinburgh side, have now entered discussions over a pre-contract agreement with the recent Scotland call-up.

Stevenson is currently in self-imposed exile from Tynecastle, having walked out in protest against the club’s continued late payment of monthly wages.

"I can confirm we have had an offer turned down for both Ryan Stevenson," Crawley boss Steve Evans told the club’s official website. We have spoken to Hearts and we respect their right to turn down the offer we made.

"We are some distance apart in what we offered to what [Hearts] wanted, so we will move on to alternative targets we have identified.

"In respect of Ryan Stevenson, we are now in discussions with his advisors in respect of a pre-contract that would see the player join us in the summer but we will see how that progresses.”