By Dipo Ogunsola, with Agency Reports

Ivanauskas told Agence France Press (AFP) after a 3-0 victory over Siroki Brijeg of Bosnia that despite the victory, his team still lacked the striking bite for European Champions League impact.

“In the whole of the United Kingdom, we talk of young driving forwards like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. They are Manchester United players, so playing for Hearts could be difficult. If only I can get a player like Inter’s Martins, who in my own estimation is a shade better than Rooney and Ronaldo, then I can challenge confidently in Europe.”

The stocky handler said he was aware of Inter’s relunctance to release Martins but he hoped to convince Hearts board to earmark an impressive sum for the transfer. “I understand Inter will want to keep their best players but I know in transfer deals, options are open.”

Ivanauskas already has an African representative in the attack of Hearts with Burkinabe, Ibrahim Tall, the team’s top scorer and believes a Martins’ input could do the team a world of good.

Tribunesports recalls that a number of clubs in the United Kingdom has expressed interest in the Nigerian forward. Newcastle United and Tottenham had had their bids turned down by Inter Milan.