Hearts have cash for new signings as club outline how funds will be used

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson has money available for several new signings as he prepares to strengthen his squad.

Tynecastle Park is preparing to welcome new signings.

The departure of 11 players at the end of their contracts frees up a sizeable chunk of the first-team budget which Neilson intends to use for new recruits.

Spaces will be filled over the coming weeks, with a centre-back and creative midfielder among Hearts’ priorities.

Aidy White, Christophe Berra, Zdenek Zlamal, Harry Cochrane, Elliott Frear, Olly Lee, Colin Doyle, Lewis Moore, Craig Wighton, Sean Ward and Leeroy Makovora are all moving on, with on-loan Gervane Kastaneer also heading back to parent club Coventry City.

Neilson has already spoken with two potential signings and has financial scope for more. He explained the situation to the Evening News, stressing that paying transfer fees is not something Hearts intend to do as they look at out-of-contract players.

“A number of boys have left now and we brought quite a number in last year. There are a number of positions we want to strengthen and we've got some money to do that,” said Neilson.

“There might be a wee bit of movement in the squad as well if we can get all our targets. Yes, we've got money to bring people in at the moment. It's not a huge amount but then it will be trying to rejig the squad a wee bit as well.

“It's players out of contract we are looking at so the money will be for salaries. We need to make sure we get the right options in. I think there will be a lot of options, probably not right now but over the next few weeks.

“Teams down south at the level we are looking to recruit from aren't carrying the same size squads because they don't have the same money.”

Neilson and sporting director Joe Savage are targeting players in England, Ireland and abroad in an effort to improve Hearts’ squad for next season’s Premiership campaign.

They intend to operate with a smaller senior squad than normal, supplemented by some promising young players who have emerged from the Riccarton academy.

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