Scotland on Sunday says Pinilla, whose two years in Edinburgh have been notable for controversy and injury rather than eye-catching form on the field, has agreed terms to stay at Hearts on a deal worth a basic £12,000 a week. Over the potential four years of its duration, therefore, the contract could cost the Tynecastle outfit £2.5m, on top of the £600,000 in salary payments they have already bestowed on a player who has made only eight appearances in maroon, scoring twice.

Further payments will be made to the player, formerly owned jointly with Internazionale, on a performance-related basis.