Charles-Jesaja Herrmann: Wolfsburg make decision on exciting striker linked with Hearts

Daniel Stendel had identified the teenager as a possible signing as he reshapes his team

Charles-Jesaja Herrmann (right) celebrates a goal for Germany Under-19s

Wolfsburg have dealt Hearts a blow in their pursuit of striker Charles-Jesaja Herrmann after the Bundesliga club's sports director appeared to rule out letting the 19-year-old leave the club.

The son of former Ghana captain Charles Akunnor is one of a handful of players on Daniel Stendel's radar as he seeks to remodel his Hearts team.

Capped by Germany at every level from Under-15 to Under-19, Herrmann has hit four goals and one assist in 14 appearances for Wolfsburg II in the Regionalliga Nord, the fourth tier of German football.

A target for Stendel during his stint as Barnsley boss, Herrmann was again on the former Hannover 96 head coach's wishlist but Pablo Thiem looks to have dashed Hearts' hopes of landing Herrmann.

Confirming an enquiry had been received from the Capital club, Thiam explained that the Volkswagen Arena outfit would not be letting any players leave. According to the Evening News sister title The Scotsman, he said: "We currently only have three fit strikers in the squad and cannot afford to lose any."