Laszlo presses case for new Hearts striker before window closes

BARRY ANDERSON
CSABA LASZLO held talks with Vladimir Romanov and Anatoli Korobochka yesterday to press for a new striker before the transfer window closes.

The Hearts manager said he has already identified and spoken with an unnamed European-based forward and petitioned Romanov, the club's majority shareholder, and Korobochka, the sports director, to move for his target as a matter of urgency.

Sergejus Fedotovas, a Hearts director and board member of the club's parent company, Ukio Bankas Investment Group, arrived in Edinburgh yesterday to help negotiate transfer business before the window closes on Monday at 5.00pm.

"Last night I spoke with a striker, a very interesting guy," Laszlo told the Evening News. "He must decide himself if he would like to come to the Scottish league but definitely we are trying. He is under contract with a European team at the moment.

"We must wait to see what happens over the next few days. We have one or two options and I spoke with Anatoli and Mr Romanov about this. I told them my idea but I also told myself I have to concentrate on my job and the Hamilton game tomorrow.

"Mr Romanov was very co-operative in this direction. To get a good striker it is not easy. You must always be careful with what type of player you can get. Heart of Midlothian, in the past, took a lot of quick decisions and with these we did not always have a lucky hand.

"Now we must look to have quality and a lucky hand. Only one thing is sure: If somebody leaves we have more possibilities to bring someone in. A striker would give more competition in the team. With a player who is a real goalscorer we can achieve more."

Christophe Berra remains a transfer target for English Championship club Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fedotovas will attempt to further negotiate their £2million offer for the Scotland defender over the weekend. Hearts value Berra at £3m but he is expected to captain the team at New Douglas Park in what could be his final game for the club.

"Berra trained with the team yesterday, he will train with the team today and I think he will be on the field against Hamilton," said Laszlo, who will reinstate Marius Zaliukas alongside Berra as Eggert Jonsson struggles with a stomach bug.

"Eggert is sick and he did not train with the team yesterday. He has diarrhoea and a stomach problem but we hope he will be okay for the squad. Ruben Palazuelos is not fit and I don't think he will be in the squad. He should be back training on Monday. Zaliukas is in the team, Berra had a small problem with his knee at the start of the week but he is fit.

"Calum Elliot is also back and Janos Balogh is fit. I hope his transfer (from Debrecen] will be finished and registered in time and I think it will be."

Taken from the Scotsman