Orestis Kiomourtzoglou 'close' to Hearts transfer as Robbie Neilson to bolster midfield for Conference League campaign

Hearts are reportedly close to signing midfielder Orestis Kiomourtzoglou.

Robbie Neilson is keen to add to his squad before the transfer window closes next week, with a mouthwatering Europa Conference League fixture schedule on the horizon as well after today’s draw. The Jambos have been drawn alongside Istanbul Basaksehir, Fiorentina and Riga’s RFS, with fixture dates to be confirmed tomorrow. Neilson wants another two or three players to ensure he has the numbers to cope with a regular Thursday-Sunday schedule, and is on the verge of landing Kiomoroutzogloou, according to Sky Sports Germany.

The German is currently with Dutch outfit Heracles Almelo after joining them from German lower league outfit Unterhaching two years ago. Primarily a defensive midfielder, the 24-year-old made 24 appearances in the Eredivise last season, scoring two goals. His contract is up in the summer, although Heracles do have the option to extend for another year.

However, he looks set for a move to Edinburgh with a six-figure fee agreed, thought to be £350,000. Hearts have been on the hunt for an additional midfielder since signing Jorge Grant. Beni Banignime will be out until the new year after suffering a cruciate ligament injury back in March. Peter Haring and Cammy Devlin have been regulars, but Neilson wants more strength in depth.

The capital club will be without Grant for their opening Conference League Group A fixture after his sending off against FC Zurich in their Europa League playoff defeat. The number seven was booked in the first half for a tackle from behind, which seemed harsh. After the break, he was shown a second after Belgian ref William Visser adjudged him to have dived in the box an an attempt to win a penalty.

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