Hearts look close to deal for Cochrane

SCOTTISH Premier side Hearts are closing in on Brighton wingback Alex Cochrane – a player who has been on Coventry City’s radar this summer.

The Sky Blues, along with Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers and Reading, are reported to have been interested in the 22-year-old Seagulls’ academy graduate who enjoyed a season-long loan at Tynecastle last season.

The defender made 40 appearances for the Jambos last term and scored three goals as Robbie Neilson’s side secured third in the Premiership table, with European football to look forward to this season.

It is claimed Cochrane is in talks with the Edinburgh club with a view to doing a deal. It was thought – after Brighton opted to trigger an extension in his contract for another 12 months – that it might be another loan. But it’s now believed it will be a permanent move involving a fee that Hearts will look to pay to get their man.

The Coventry Telegraph understands that Cochrane is one of a number of targets City have looked at as an option to fill the void left by Ian Maatsen’s return to parent club Chelsea. However, the versatile player who can play at leftback, wing-back and in midfield, is not thought to be top of the club’s wanted list, with City currently monitoring Lee Buchanan’s contract situation at Derby County.

The 21-year-old Rams’ fullback is locked in a dispute with the club after his existing contract was up for renewal this summer. Derby are understood to have triggered a 12-month extension option to keep him at Pride Park. According to reports, the player’s representatives have disputed that his contract has been extended.

Mark Robins is actively looking to add to the left wingback position where he currently only has one other senior contender for the key attacking berth in Jake Bidwell.