Hearts talks with Islam Chesnokov as Derek McInnes explains transfer confusion
Kazakhstan winger is heading to Edinburgh before Christmas
Hearts will hold talks with Islam Chesnokov next week regarding his impending move to Tynecastle Park. All parties are determined that nothing will hinder the Kazakhstan internationalist’s arrival in Edinburgh, despite reports earlier this week suggesting the deal could collapse. The Hearts head coach Derek McInnes is convinced nothing will change and that Chesnokov will be playing in maroon come January.
Media in Kazakhstan claimed that the winger could back out of his pre-contract agreement in Scotland following alternative offers from Russia. However, sources close to the player have confirmed he has no plan to join any club other than Hearts. McInnes will hold discussions with Chesnokov next week regarding plans for his arrival. With his contract at Tobol Kostanay now expired, he is preparing for life in Gorgie.
McInnes admitted being bemused by the reports and explained his club’s stance on the situation. “I don’t know where that’s come from. I can guess but nothing has changed for us,” said the manager. “We’re in constant dialogue with Islam’s agents. I’ve got a call with Islam next week which was always in the diary. We are quite comfortable in the sense that we expect him here in December. The process for work permits will all go through as well. We want him to train with us in December, allow him to go home for Christmas, and then come back and get ready for January.”
Chesnokov cannot register with the Scottish Football Association until the transfer window opens in January. By then, Hearts intend him to be settled and familiar with his new team-mates. “We wanted him before the last window closed but he’s worth waiting for,” added McInnes. “He has signed a contract with us, all the conversations we’ve had with Islam and the agents are that he is looking forward to being here in January. We’re all quite comfortable with the situation.
“I’m looking forward to working with him. It’s a position we felt was key for us when we first came in. I thought we were getting him in the last window but it’s been a wee bit harder to get. We are nearly there with it now. When you do a pre-contract you have that certainty and confidence that we’ve got him and he’s coming.”
The Hearts chief executive Andrew McKinlay stated only last month that Chesnokov’s signing was secured. “I think we shouldn’t forget we’ve already made a signing in Islam Chesnokov, who’ll come in,” said McKinlay. “He can’t be registered until January, but he will join us for training purposes at the beginning of December, which I think is great and can allow him to get used to the surroundings, get used to Edinburgh, as we go into the lovely winter months. So that’s a big thing for January.”
Hearts and Kilmarnock held tentative conversations in recent days as the Rugby Park side tried to sign a goalkeeper on an emergency loan. Enquiries were made regarding Zander Clark, Harry Stone was also discussed, but so far neither keeper has gone anywhere. Killie are still looking at possible options.
“I think there was a conversation maybe had above me but nothing's come across my desk with that,” said McInnes. “Nobody has asked the question about that. I don't know anything about it other than the fact that I believe there was maybe a conversation above me, but nobody's came to me with any more than that.”