RACE FOR ACE IN HOKKAIDO
HEARTS are facing a battle to land Japanese striker Tsuyoshi Ogashiwa in this transfer window.
Yesterday proved to be a busy day for the Jambos as they finally unveiled Aussie defender Nathaniel Atkinson and allowed Jamie Walker to open talks with Bradford City.
The Gorgie outfit have held a series of talks with Ogashiwa’s club, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, over a six-figure move.
Sporting director Joe Savage had hoped he could strike a deal after initial discussions but Ogashiwa’s side have now said they would prefer to keep him until the summer.
It means a move for the 23-year-old has been left hanging in the balance.
Ogashiwa is keen on the move to Scotland but now has to wait and see if Sapporo can be persuaded to change their stance.
Hearts are still in the market for another striker even if they get him.
Savage is working on several options for boss Robbie Neilson.
He wants another striker to lift some of the burden off top scorer Liam Boyce, who has 11 goals this term.
Walker travelled south to Bradford for talks and
BY SCOTT BURNS to finalise his loan. The 28-year-old’s deal is up in the summer and he wants first-team football. The winger will return south after a spell with Wigan and loan at Peterborough.
Both St Johnstone and Livingston were keen but he’s set for the Bantams.
Fellow wideman Jordan Roberts has returned to Tynecastle after his loan spell at Motherwell. The Steelmen were keen to re-sign the 28-year-old but have been unable to come to a financial agreement.
It remains to be seen if a deal can be resurrected later in this window.
Hearts are already resigned to losing Scotland defender John Souttar, who has offers from Blackburn, Sheffield United and Rangers, while contract talks are ongoing with Stephen Kingsley, Craig Halkett and Michael Smith.
Right-back Atkinson, in the door from A-League champions Melbourne City, is convinced he can lift silverware in Scotland.
He said: “It was one of the best feelings in the world to win trophies. It makes you hungry to win more. That’s why I wanted to come to Europe.”