Hearts plan third bid for St Mirren hero Goncalves
HEARTS will submit a third bid for Anorthosis Famagusta striker Esmael Goncalves as Ian Cathro targets a reunion with the former St Mirren cult hero.
Anorthosis chairman Andreas Pantelis last night confirmed that the Jambos have seen two offers for the Portuguese marksman rejected, with their most recent effort thought to have been in the region of £125,000.
However, the Cypriot outfit are thought be holding out for around £250,000 and Pantelis stated: “The first proposal was last week, but the price was too low so they came back with a better proposal, but this was also not satisfactory.
“They seem to be prepared to negotiate but we haven’t come to a decision yet. We don’t know yet what they will finally decide.”
Goncalves is contracted to Anorthosis until the summer of 2018 and remain adamant that he will only leave for the right price and if they can secure a replacement.
That was underlined when the 25-year-old was selected for yesterday’s Cypriot Cup tie against ASIL Lysi – belying the uncertainty over his future to score in a 5-0 win.
Despite receiving undisclosed sums for the sales of Robbie Muirhead to MK Dons and Igor Rossi to Al Faisaly, Hearts would be loathe to pay a quarter of a million pounds. Nevertheless, they are expected to test Anorthosis’ resolve again before the closure of the transfer window
Goncalves has previously worked with the Jambos’ management team, having played for Rio Ave when Cathro was the assistant boss. He then joined St Mirren on loan in 2013, where current Hearts number two Austin MacPhee was on the coaching staff. two years, so it is a big ask, the sharpness that you lose, the speed..
“My heart would tell me, ‘get in there, help the team’ but my brain will tell me, ‘listen, you might not be the best guy for the job’.
“I might put myself on the bench on Saturday so that I’m there if I am absolutely needed but we have young players desperate for an opportunity who have been doing very well so I wouldn’t put myself in because I am that bit more experienced.
“Georgios Sarris is out for the next three weeks after having a tidy up of his knee.
“Dan Seaborne will come in and play and as yet I am undecided by the shape or system or personnel to fill the gaps.”