Two teams chase Hearts forward - and are prepared to spend to land signature
Tynecastle club open to letting winger leave if price is right
Hearts are set to field bids from Ordabasy Shymkent and FC Tobol for their winger Islam Chesnokov, with the Kazakh edging closer to the Tynecastle exit door.
The Evening News revealed last week that clubs in Chesnokov’s homeland are prepared to bring the player back to Kazakhstan, just six months on from the 26-year-old joining Hearts.
Chesnokov had been pursued by Hearts for more than a year and the Jam Tarts finally landed their man when signing him on a free transfer from FC Tobol. However, he only made 11 appearances last season and Gorgie officials would not stand in his way should a suitable bid be tabled.
It has been reported that Ordabasy Shymkent, who are currently top of the Kazakh Premier League, have entered the race are prepared to spend a six-figure sum to land Chesnokov and bolster their title ambitions, while FC Tobol are also very keen to re-sign the player after he was such a big hit in Konstany previously.
Hearts had to work hard to sign Chesnokov amid competition from Kazakh and Russian clubs last winter. However, the 24-times capped wide-man has not had the desired impact in Scottish football and has struggled to break into head coach Derek McInnes’ first-team plans on a regular basis.
Hearts have already been active in the transfer market this summer - and two wingers are already in the building. St Johnstone’s Josh McPake joined on a pre-contract agreement, while Falkirk’s Calvin Miller signed on Thursday for a six-figure fee. Alexandros Kyziridis, Sabah Kerjota and Rogers Mato are also able to play out wide.
In addition to McPake and Miller, defender MJ Kamson-Kamara has come in on a free transfer. Hearts are also closing in on a £700,000 deal for York City centre-half Malachi Fagan-Walcott as well as deals for French duo Tom Renaud (midfielder) and Amadou Ba-Sy (striker).
There have also been exits - Frankie Kent, Beni Baningime and Alan Forrest have moved on after their contracts expired, although Hearts remain in talks with midfielder Cammy Devlin over a new deal.
Hearts have a Champions League qualifier to negotiate in mid-July and are keen to have much of their transfer work done as quickly as possible.