Karipidis pining for Hearts

Hearts target Hristos Karipidis has urged PAOK Salonika president Ioannis Goumenos to allow him to join the Scottish Premier League club.

The Jambos have failed to reach agreement with the Greek outfit on a fee for the defender.

Now the 23-year-old is hoping a solution to the impasse can be reached to leave him free to return to his home country for a possible Champions League clash with AEK Athens.

Karipidis told the Edinburgh Evening News: "If I go to Hearts, it would be great to have the chance to play against another Greek team. I believe we could beat them.

"I want to sign and I'm waiting for PAOK to agree with Hearts about the money for me. My wish is for it to be done quickly and I hope the deal will be finished in the next few days, maybe even by tomorrow.

"I want things completed and I want to be there with Hearts in Bosnia this week and become part of the squad. I can't do anything to make a deal happen, only the teams can do this."

Karipidis has already sought the advice of countryman Takis Fyssas, who joined the Edinburgh club last summer.

He added: "I spoke with Takis Fyssas and he has told me a lot about the club, the country, the players and even the weather.

"He says a move to Hearts would work very well for a young player like me. I know they finished in second place last year and have a very good team.

"I am back in Salonika now and I will wait to see what happens with the agreement. If all goes well, I will fly to Edinburgh as soon as the teams agree."