Hearts transfer news: Striker wanted and departures possible - what to expect on deadline day
Hearts have had a good transfer window - could it get even better?
With four new signings already in the door, Hearts can claim to have had a positive January transfer window regardless of what happens on deadline day. But could it get even better?
The arrivals of Dutch right-back Jordi Altena, Kazakh winger Islam Chesnokov, on-loan midfielder Marc Leonard and Ugandan winger Rogers Mato have bolstered a Hearts squad that is bidding to make history by winning the Scottish title for the first time since 1960 and end a 41-year Old Firm stranglehold on the championship.
For all the talk around the hidden gems identified by Tony Bloom and Jamestown Analytics, the recruitment of Derek McInnes from Kilmarnock last summer has arguably proved the club's best signing with the manager having expertly steered the Tynecastle side into a six-point lead at the top of the Premiership with 14 matches remaining.
Sporting director Graeme Jones, the man responsible for clinching the transfer deals, is also playing a key role behind the scenes and will be poised to move on deadline day if an opportunity arises.
McInnes would ideally like one final addition - a striker - before the window closes at 11pm on Monday after losing skipper Lawrence Shankland to a hamstring injury until March. He has admitted, however, that he is unlikely to get his wish after the club were priced out of a move for targets.
Interest was shown in Amandou Ba-Sy of French third tier side Rouen but talks have been scrapped due to his club demanding a premium fee which Hearts were not prepared to meet.
“I’m not hopeful, no,” McInnes said on the prospect of signing a striker after the 3-0 win at Dundee United on Saturday. “I’d like to, if I could, but I don’t think it looks likely. I think we’ve hit the post a couple of times and tried to get one or two things done, but I think it’s just going to run away from us."
Hearts’ bloated squad means departures are possible on deadline day. Goalkeeper Zander Clark and midfielder Sander Kartum have already been loaned out this month to Doncaster Rovers and Wellington Phoenix respectively.
Other fringe players could yet depart with clubs monitoring winger Alan Forrest while a loan move for teenage attacker James Wilson could be sanctioned in order to give the young Scotland international some much-needed game time in the second half of the season. Elton Kabangu is another who is struggling for game-time but there has been no reported interest in the Belgian forward.
A quiet end to the transfer window is the most likely scenario for Hearts but they will be scouring the market for a striker so don't rule out some last minute activity.
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.