Hearts ‘in talks’ over Belgium-based striker as Jamestown Analytics link kicks off amid Shankland uncertainty

HEARTS are in talks to secure a new loan striker as they try to climb out of their perilous position at the bottom of the Scottish Premier League, it is reported.

The Jambos recently secured a deal with Tony Bloom’s Jamestown Analytics group and it just so happens that the player is at a club who happen to use the same sports recruitment firm.

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And that one Edinburgh Evening News reports that the man is Union Saint-Gilloise striker Elton Kabangu.

The 26-year-old acts as a center forward, but can also play out wide.

They say he has fallen out of favor at USG, but talks are ongoing with senior Jambos sources and “discussions have progressed in recent days”.

Although he has scored just once in 13 games for the Belgian title chasers this year, Kabangu could fit the bill as Neil Critchley bids to add pace to his starting line-up.

Kabangu, who came through the ranks at Gent, has also featured for FC Eindhoven and Willem II in the Netherlands.

The striking position at Tynecastle is a source of some uncertainty right now, with Lawrence Shankland yet to agree a deal to stay on beyond the season.

He likely has no shortage of offers, while Kenneth Vargas has struggled at times and much of the burden has fallen on 17-year-old James Wilson.

Shankland has consistently been linked with Rangers, but CEO Andrew McKinlay has refused to rule out Shankland staying at Hearts beyond next summer and revealed he would be willing to reopen discussions.

He said: “The last offer we made was rejected so there is no offer out there at the moment.

“If his advisers want to talk to us or he wants to talk to us, obviously we would have a conversation.

“There is nothing at the moment and it has been widely documented that we did not receive any offers which surprised me given Lawrence’s performances last season.

“It certainly didn’t disappoint me because I’m happy to keep Lawrence this year and I’m hoping for longer. As it stands at the moment, it’s for this year.

“I don’t see there being a decision to be made in January as we sit here and now it looks like Lawrence will see out the last year of his contract.

“Like I said, I’d be happy to have a conversation if there’s one that’s needed to see if there’s a way we can persuade him to stay here longer.”

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