Duo remain on Hearts' radar

BARRY ANDERSON
RECREATIVO de Huelva forward Ersen Martin and Artmedia Bratislava defender Pavol Farkas remain signing targets for Hearts despite the transfer window closing last night.
The Evening News has learned that Martin, a German-born Turkish internationalist, is manager Csaba Laszlo's first choice to fill the striking void at Tynecastle. He will become a free agent this summer when his present deal in Spain expires and a pre-contract agreement with Hearts is a possibility. Farkas' move from Artmedia failed to materialise before yesterday's 5pm deadline but, like Martin, the 23-year-old's name remains on a list of potential signing targets following Christophe Berra's departure to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Another of Laszlo's January targets was Romanian international forward Nicolae Dica, 28, currently with Italian side Catania. However talks with the player failed to progress due to his Serie A salary.

Asked today about Farkas and Martin, Laszlo was reluctant to go into detail, saying only: "I know these players but I cannot talk about this. We still have some possibilities."

Martin's main attribute is his physical presence. He stands 6ft 5in tall and would offer strength in an area where Laszlo believes Hearts have been lacking this season.

"You will never see too many headed goals from Gary Glen or Calum Elliot. They need a target man who is good in the air in one-against-one situations," said the manager. "Glen and Elliot can play in the channels."

Janos Balogh's transfer from Debrecen was concluded yesterday and Hearts also recruited 17-year-old Lithuanian defender Marius Zukovas on a six-month loan from FBK Kaunas. He joins the club's under-19 squad.

Heading out were Juho Makela, who agreed a severance package for the remaining five months of his £4000-a-week contract, plus under-19 players Robert Adam – who joined Tynecastle FC on loan – and Ciaran Coll.

The Edinburgh club will also recoup the fee paid out for Romanian teenager Dumitru Copil two years ago. He has returned to former club Atletico Arad, who have agreed to reimburse Hearts.

Hearts' reserve striker Denis McLaughlin, meanwhile, is to join Dumbarton on a six-month loan, and Lithuanian trialists Marius Cinikas and Vygantas Zubavicius will return to FBK Kaunas.

Taken from the Scotsman