Goncalves could stay at Hearts

Jose Goncalves is considering a dramatic u-turn on contract negotiations with Hearts, Press Association Sport understands.

The Portuguese defender, 24, had rejected an "unbelievable" offer to extend his stay at Tynecastle, manager Jim Jefferies claimed on Tuesday, but talks between the pair have since take place and it is understood they have been positive.

Reports claim the player, whose existing deal expires in the summer, has been offered a new two-and-a-half-year contract.

Tuesday saw Jefferies deliver a stark ultimatum to Goncalves, warning him he would not play for the club again if he maintained his refusal to sign on.

"Am I better to go for a player who wants to play for the club or somebody who convinces me that he doesn't want to be here?" said the visibly irked Hearts boss.

"If he walked in the door and said 'I'll sign', he'd be in my plans."

He added: "I've had four meetings in two days and in those four meetings I'm sitting talking to Jose, looking at him, listening to him, getting the vibes that for some reason before I came here he refused the contract.

"Why does he not want to stay at the club? Because he's been made a great, great offer to stay at this football club.

"If he doesn't want to do that, it tells you he doesn't want to play."

Jefferies added: "I saw some paper reports say he'd been offered less (money) - it's absolute nonsense. He has been made one fantastic offer to stay at this club, let me tell you that."