Hearts set to lose out on £1.7m Albert
BARRY ANDERSON

HEARTS appear to have lost the chance to sign Cameroonian international Albert Meyong with the striker preparing to seal a £1.7million move to Auxerre.

Meyong intimated his desire to leave his Portuguese club, Belenenses, at the end of last season upon their relegation, which prompted Hearts and a host of other clubs to declare their interest.

However, Belenenses have insisted on invoking the clause in the player's contract which states that he cannot leave Portugal for less than £1.7m. The hefty price has discouraged Vladimir Romanov who is believed to have been unwilling to break the £1m barrier for Meyong.

Now Auxerre have moved to conclude negotiations. A source close to negotiations told the Evening News: "I think the deal with Hearts is dead now. Albert is going to play in France with Auxerre. That is the club he would prefer and he is talking to them at the moment."

Meyong's agent, Paulo Teixeira, admitted he had been awaiting contact from Edinburgh to move the deal forward. "Hearts seemed to start this process and haven't finished it," he said. "We were contacted by the club and told they wanted to strike a deal, but nothing has happened.

"It is not a problem for us because Hearts were only the latest club to become interested in Albert. We had many others who wanted to sign him. Because he is not a free agent it does put some clubs off."

Hearts are also awaiting news from Michal Pospisil after the Czech flew to Norway at the weekend to discuss a possible move to Stabaek.

The player has promised Einar Schultz, the Stabaek chairman, a decision some time next week as he is getting married on Saturday, although Hearts would be entitled to a fee as he has two years remaining on his contract.

Taken from the Scotsman