During the January window, Tynecastle Club remains active.
There are still two weeks of January transfer business left until the window ends on Monday, February 3 at 11 p.m. As they aim to get stronger and better for the second half of the season, Hearts’ work keeps up. They currently have two players signed and are in the process of acquiring three more.
Elton Kabangu, a Belgian striker, has already had a successful start to his time in Edinburgh since arriving on loan from Union Saint-Gilloise on New Year’s Day. Two days later, Scottish centre-back Jamie McCart left Rotherham United on a permanent transfer.
Hearts is now working to acquire a winger, an attack-minded midfielder, and another central defender. The three men in question are Norwegian Sander Kartum, Kazakhstani internationalist Islam Chesnokov, and Austrian Michael Steinwender. The following describes the present state of affairs with all three players:
The centre back for IFK Varnamo is very close to signing a contract. It should not be difficult to complete the finer aspects of the arrangement, as he arrived in Scotland for a physical over the weekend. He would then require a work visa after that, which should occur this week.
In order to submit their application to the Home Office, Hearts must first obtain a Governing Body Endorsement from the Scottish Football Association. In order to register Steinwender as a Tynecastle player for Saturday’s Premiership game against Kilmarnock, it is hoped that everything can be completed and processed in time. He might have to wait till next week, though, because time is of the essence.
Steinwender is primarily a right-footed centre back who is swift, powerful, and aggressive. Having played more than 100 top-flight games in Austria and Sweden, he is 24 years old and ready to advance in his career. He will have a platform to blossom and grow into a true asset thanks to the transfer to Scotland. Hearts will pay less for him even though his current market value is somewhat less than £1 million.
Chesnokov, Islam
Before Chesnokov’s contract expires, his club, Tobol Kostanay, is willing to sell him. This month, Hearts is one of several European teams attempting to sign him before he becomes a free agent in November. They have discussed a six-figure transfer fee with Tobol, and as of this writing, the talks are moving forward.
The 25-year-old Chesnokov is already a regular on the international scene and is well-liked in Kazakhstan. He is a direct, quick winger with a goal eye who has 11 caps and two goals for his nation. With less than 11 months left on his contract, Tobol must cash in now as they know they cannot keep him.
Although there are still obstacles to overcome before a deal is done, he is keen in advancing his career in the UK and sees Hearts as a chance to do so. Hearts would be paying a lot less than Chesnokov’s current market worth of roughly £700,000 because the player’s contract expires later this year.
Kartum Sander
Over the weekend, Hearts’ interest in the Norwegian surfaced as they want to bolster their midfield with an experienced, attack-minded midfielder. He is a central midfield player, 29 years old, who enjoys getting forward to create and score goals. Talks with Hearts are advanced, and his club, SK Brann, is eager to transfer the player whose contract expires in 2026.
Personal terms are not anticipated to be a barrier, and Kartum is eager to go to Scotland. He played against St Mirren in the August UEFA Conference League qualifying stages after joining Brann in 2023. At the moment, his market value is approximately £400,000.
In the upcoming days, all sides are trying to finish an agreement since they are willing for a deal to materialise. He would then sign a contract with Tynecastle and undergo a physical later this week.
