HEARTS are weighing up a move for Ghanaian winger Cletus Nombil but would face a red tape wrangle to secure his signing.
Nombil, 18, impressed manager Craig Levein during a trial period in March, featuring in a bounce match against Championship outfit Queen of the South. Boss Craig Levein subsequently suggested he would invite the player for a second training stint with the Jambos.
It is understood that there are currently no concrete plans for Nombil to attend pre-season when Hearts report for duty ahead of the new campaign on June 21.
Nevertheless, Levein is interested in snapping up the Ghana under-23 internationalist, who is currently contracted to Dreams FC in his homeland and talks are continuing between the parties.
Should a deal be struck, Nombil’s arrival would then be subject to successful work permit and visa applications, which would be anything but a formality.
Nombil has never represented Ghana at senior level, while he has no secondary nationality which would make him eligible to play in the United Kingdom.
That means Hearts would be forced to convince an independent panel that he would be a valuable asset to the club and Scottish football.
Paperwork issues have previously derailed a move to Sparta Prague for the player.
Nombil was reportedly on the radar of Schalke and Club Brugge, while he has also spent a period training with AIK Stockholm in Sweden.
Hearts are yet to make their first summer signing, albeit the arrival of Scotland internationalist Steven Naismith is imminent following his release by Norwich City.
