Elton Kabangu is Hearts transfer 'target' as Neil Critchley closes in on loan move for Belgian striker
Neil Critchley is desperate to add firepower to his ranks to shoot the Jambos away from the relegation trouble
Hearts are reportedly in the market for Elton Kabangu from Union Saint-Gilloise.
Edinburgh Evening News report that talks have taken place between the Jambos and the Belgian outfit over a loan deal for the striker. The 26-year-old can also play out wide and would offer versatility as well as further firepower to back up Lawrence Shankland to new boss Neil Critchley.
Hearts are struggling at the wrong end of the table and rivals Hibs added to their misery by dumping them in the Boxing Day Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle. They need goals and reinforcements to fire them up the standings and Kabangu is available having fallen down the pecking order at Rangers' Europa League opponents.
The same report states that talks have progressed in recent days. January will offer a first opportunity for the Gorgie side to use their new Jamestown Analytics tool. The Belgian side also have liks to Tony Bloom and use the same sports recruitment company.
The forward has netted just once in 13 appearances for USG this campaign but is eager to get more match minutes under his belt.
Speaking about January, Critchley admitted: “I’m still learning so much about the group and it's becoming clear of what we need to do to try and move the squad and move the club forward.
"January will be January. I think I've spoken before about we want to try and get stronger in every window.
"It's quite clear some of the areas of the pitch that we need to try and strengthen and some of that obviously you want to try and make an immediate impact but also for the benefit of the longer term strategy of the football club and that will be our aim when January gets here.”