Laurent Mendy to Hearts transfer latest as Wouter Vrancken sends update amid players heading for exit
Hearts are eyeing a new midfielder as one player looks bound to leave the club.
Wouter Vrancken says it’s up to Laurent Mendy and Hearts to come to an agreement on a possible Tynecastle transfer - as one player gets set to make a loan exit.
The defensive midfielder has impressed for National League club Forest Green Rovers and attracted attention from the Premiership side in January’s transfer window. Hearts eventually signed Marc Leonard on loan from Birmingham City but Mendy is back on their radar after Cammy Devlin joined Rangers at the end of his most recent contract in Gorgie.
Forest Green Rovers boss Robbie Savage has claimed ‘contact’ from the Jambos over Mendy but insists he’s not for sale. Hearts head coach Vrancken will soon select his squad for the Champions League second round qualifier versus Sturm Graz next week but he doesn’t think any new recruit will make the match in Austria on July 21, with the return leg a week later at Tynecastle. A look beyond the Sturm Graz tie is possibly more realistic as he provided an update on Mendy interest after a 2-1 friendly win over Arbroath on Tuesday. Hearts can add as many as two new signings up until the day before kick-off in Austria, even after the initial squad deadline passes.
Hearts transfer latest on Laurent Mendy
“I don't know if it's possible, because I think we have to give the list on Thursday,” Vrancken said. “So I think it's more realistic to think it will be after the Sturm Graz game to be possible to play. I think it’s a type of profile that is more of a defensive midfielder, a six actually, profile wise...but it's up to the club and him to find some agreement. And if it's not then there are other players.”
Goalkeeper Liam McFarlane was an unused substitute in the match against Arbroath but he is set for a loan exit again after being with Scotland as a training player at the World Cup. McFarlane has impressed on loan with East Fife and most recently Alloa Athletic, signing a new deal until 2028 last summer, with more senior minutes now eyed for him. Currently, Alexander Schwolow is the number one at the club, but Ryan Fulton and Zander Clark are both experienced back-up options. Macaulay Tait is believed to be edging towards a permanent exit with St Johnstone eyeing the midfielder who has a contract running until 2028. He has spent most of the last 18 months on loan at Livingston.
“Liam will be loaned out,” Vrancken confirmed. “I think it's good for him just to play. I think it's no use to put him on the bench or give him some minutes here or there. I think he has to go somewhere that he can play 90 minutes every week. And then he can be a good asset for us afterwards.”
What coach has joined Hearts?
Vrancken’s backroom has been strengthened by the appointment of Liam Ross as set-piece coach. Ross Grant has moved to Celtic after the Jambos became a potent threat from dead ball situations last season and his replacement arrives next week after time with Southampton. He has previously coached with Scotland U21s, Rangers, Swansea City and Dundee United.
“I didn't work with a set-piece coach in Belgium but I think it's a good asset, Vrancken added. “I like that there is someone who focuses really only on set-pieces. Because of the importance of it. And of course we can discuss it like we discuss everything in open play and in the normal game also. But to have one who is just only focussing on this, especially when the games come so fast, it's an important position.”