Hearts £350K hitman offer

HEARTS have made an offer of around £350,000 for Polish international striker Marek Saganowski and are now awaiting an answer from his club, Legia Warsaw.

The bid, a huge sum for a non-Old Firm club in today's transfer market, highlights the extent of Vladimir Romanov's ambitions for Hearts as manager George Burley attempts to make 26-year-old Saganowski his first signing. Burley has watched Saganowski in action for his country and recognises that Hearts are in dire need of fresh attacking talent, although he will not meet the £800,000 clause in the player's contract with Legia, which has only a year left to run.

"We have definitely not offered that much," said Burley today, "but I can confirm that we have made a bid for the boy. We are waiting to hear back from his club. It is between the two clubs now.

"He is a very good international player, one I have been aware of for a little while through my contacts so we got on to his club and made them an offer."

Burley was first made aware of Saganowski by the man who has followed him almost everywhere in his managerial career, Simon Hunt, now chief scout alongside him at Tynecastle.

"I have a very good scouting network and there are a number of players that we are aware of," added Burley. "You get to know when players are becoming available and I was told the boy is in the last year of his contract and that his club are willing to listen to offers.

"I have seen him play, and he did very well for Poland, his home nation. He scores goals and I think he would fit into the Scottish game very well."

The Hearts board will convene with Burley on Monday to discuss progress on signing targets as the club close in on those players who may make the difference in the coming campaign.

Meanwhile, West Ham today released Hearts target Steve Lomas from his Uptown Park contract.

The 31-year-old Northern Ireland internationalist has been linked with a move to Gorgie with Jambos boss Burley revealing he is a player he admires. One stumbling block over a switch north of the border could have been the transfer fee demanded by the Hammers although he is now available on a bosman.

West Ham manager Alan Pardew said: "I've told Steve Lomas that he is no longer part of my long-term plans and that he is free to leave."

Lomas joined West Ham from Manchester City for £1.6 million in 1997.

Elsewhere, Hearts target Burton O'Brien, who came close to joining the Jambos recently, has put pen-to-paper on a three-year deal with Paul Sturrock's Sheffield Wednesday.

Taken from the Scotsman