Hearts won't rush midfielder signing ahead of transfer deadline

Hearts are prepared to wait until after the transfer window closes to sign a left-sided midfielder. Tynecastle officials are targeting players who are free agents and therefore not bound by window regulations.

Hearts' management team are looking to bring in a new left-sided midfielder. Pic: SNS

Head coach Robbie Neilson wants a new face in as soon as possible, but may need to wait until next month. The summer transfer window closes at midnight tonight and Hearts are confident they will still have several options to sign a left midfielder/winger after that.

Seven new players have joined the Edinburgh club since last season ended – Conor Sammon, Faycal Rherras, Viktor Norking, Krystian Nowak, Tony Watt (on loan), Robbie Muirhead and Bjorn Johnsen. Neilson intends to make it eight soon but will not rush into a move unnecessarily.

Time is running out for fringe players like Juanma Delgado and 
Juwon Oshaniwa to secure moves out of Tynecastle. Both players are looking to further their careers away from Hearts, although they have been told they are welcome to stay and remain part of the first-team squad.

Juanma has seen a move to Belgium fall through, whilst Oshaniwa has had interest from several clubs without a concrete offer arriving.

Callum Paterson, the subject of two bids from Wigan Athletic this month, remains a Hearts player at the moment. Unless the Lancashire club significantly increase their offer and match Hearts’ £1m valuation, he will not move in the current window.