KAR PLAN HITS AN OBSTACLE

VALDAS IVANAUSKAS warned PAOK Salonika last night Hearts wouldn't be held to ransom over the signing of Hristos Karipidis.

Greek defender Karipidis and Chilean striker Mauricio Pinilla, set to be captured on ayear-longloanfrom Sporting Lisbon, came through medicals at Riccarton yesterday.

But Hearts head coach revealed the deal for 23-year-old Karipidis had hit a snag after the financially-stricken Greek side demanded more cash from Tynecastle.

Hearts had offered somewhere in the region of £100,000 for the player and would like the deal completed before the Champions League second-round deadline tomorrow.

Ivanauskas insisted that if an agreement isn't reached by the I third-round qualifying deadline of July 24 the capital club would I pursue targets elsewhere.

He said: "There has been no fee I agreed for Karipidis as we've been discussing the contract. The I Greek club are making things I more difficult than is necessary with regards to Karipidis.

"It is the usual things with I regards to money. Hearts have a I valuation of the player but will I will not divulge that information.

"As for Pinilla, the situation is a lot easier and the club is looking at the possibility of signing him on the basis of another loan deal."

Meanwhile, Jose Goncalves is set to miss the first three months of the season with a hip injury.

Ivanauskas said: "It is possible Jose could be out for three months but he'll definitely miss the start of the season."

The head coach added he was resigned to losing contract rebels Andy Webster and Rudi Skacel by the end of the week.

Taken from the Daily Record