Webster free as of 1 July

HEARTS defender Andy Webster has handed in his notice to the club, exercising a FIFA rule to free himself from his contract as of 1 July.

FIFA article 17 allows a player under 28 years of age who has played three years of a four-year contract to inform their club of their intention to leave. Webster was dropped from the Hearts line-up after the 24-year-old refused to sign a new contract, missing the end of last season.

Now a host of clubs, including Fulham, Monaco, PSV Eindhoven and Everton, are believed to be prepared to pay the independently-set compensation of around £200,000 to secure the Scotland international's services. Rangers have previously been linked with a move for Webster, but article 17 prevents the player moving to another club in Scotland.

Taken from the Scotsman