Hibs close to deal for loan star Kamberi

HIBS head coach Neil Lennon admits talks aimed at signing Flo Kamberi on a permanent contract are progressing and hopes a deal can be struck within the next fortnight. The Swiss player made a huge impact at Easter Road after joining on loan from Zurich side Grasshoppers in January, scoring nine goals in 14 appearances — including a hattrick against Hamilton in April. As part of the arrangement, Hibs also agreed a transfer fee with the 23-year-old’s parent club with a view to signing Kamberi — who has a year left of his current contract — this summer. And Lennon is keeping his fingers crossed that the striker (pictured), who has been linked with Sunderland, will have committed himself to Hibs by the time the squad return to pre-season training on June 18. ‘We’re in negotiations with him and his representatives and we’ve got a deadline with Grasshoppers in the middle of June, so we’re hoping that will come to fruition over the next week or two weeks,’ said Lennon, whose side play their Europa League first qualifying round first leg on July 12. ‘I don’t think we’re far away, hopefully we’ll get a positive outcome with that. ‘In terms of other players we’ve identified, we’re getting down the line with those. ‘We’re back on the 18th with the nucleus of the squad and we’re trying to get a couple of players over the line before then and inbetween the 18th and July 12, when we play the qualifier, there will be a lot of work being done. ‘Hopefully, we can get some fresh players in the next few weeks to whet the fans’ appetite.’ Lennon is also hoping an agreement can be struck with Celtic that would allow Scott Allan to return after the midfielder signed for Hibs for a second time in January in a loan switch from the Scottish champions. ‘Scotty is obviously a Celtic player, so it’s great that he’d like to come back but that would be Celtic’s decision not ours,’ he said. ‘He’s a player who blossomed again and had a fantastic second half of the season.’