Hearts boss Craig Levein has revealed he is keen to make Teplice striker David Vanecek his 12th summer signing – but concedes he may have to wait until January to land the Czech player.
After watching Olly Lee net a double and Ben Garuccio get on the scoresheet in Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Partick Thistle at Central Park, Levein admitted that negotiations with the 27-year-old’s club are ongoing.
Vanecek, who scored 12 goals last term, is out of contract at the end of December and Teplice are understood to be demanding a five-figure fee.
Levein said: “That is still something I’m still working on. We’ll get him at some point, it’s just when. He’s contracted to his club until December.”
Levein also confirmed that marksman Conor Sammon and midfielder Malaury Martin have been made available for transfer, while he has dropped his interest in signing former Hamilton playmaker Ali Crawford.
He added: “Conor and Malaury are two who are outside the plans and if something comes up for them then we’d be looking to try and move them on.”
Levein admits bringing back Scotland internationalist Steven Naismith for a second loan stint from Norwich City last week put paid to Crawford’s hopes of landing terms after the midfielder had been on trial with the club.
He added: “I didn’t know if I was going to get Steven Naismith back.
“I brought Ali in primarily for that reason. If Naismith hadn’t come back, I would have taken Ali. The fact we got a deal done with Norwich meant Ali would move on.”
