Gerald Taylor 'close' to Hearts transfer as Steven Naismith reveals magic number for summer window

The Deportivo Saprissa right back will join on an initial loan deal which cold be made permanent if all goes well.

Gerald Taylor is 'close' to joining Hearts, according to reports in Costa Rica.

The international right back is currently with Deportivo Saprissa in his homeland, but reports in Central America say that a deal to join the Jambos is close. Steven Naismith is in need of a right back with Dexter Lembikisa returning to Wolves after his loan spell ended and Nathaniel Atkinson the only recognised senior option on the books in that position.

Now Naismith is set to turn to Costa Rica again after the success of Kenneth Vargas' move last summer. The forward has established himself as a firm favourite with fans after nine goals in his maiden Premiership season. His loan from SC Herediano was made permanent with the 22-year-old penning a five-year deal towards the end of the 2023/24 campaign. Now Taylor is set to join on a similar loan agreement that will likely be made permanent if all goes well.

Taylor's current deal has two years left to run, but it's expected a fee will be agreed as part of the 23-year-old's loan to the capital. Taylor, who also holds Panamanian citizenship, can also operate at centre back. He made 52 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring three goals.

In addition to Taylor, Naismith is working on one more deal to bring his total number of new signings - including Taylor - to six. Ross County captain Yan, Dhanda, Blair Spittal, James Penrice and Ryan Fulton have all agreed to sign on at Tynecastle an will be confirmed as Hearts players in the coming weeks.

“We are in the market for a couple of positions. These things are moving on,” he told the Edinburgh Evening News. “I have got an expectation that, by the time we come back, there will be a couple in and done. Six is roughly the number we are looking at. Beyond that, if somebody leaves the group who we feel needs replaced then we will do that. It’s not going to be that we will sign many others given where we are sitting with the squad at the moment. We are comfortable with it.