Tony Bloom in Hearts £10m investment bid as Brighton chief offers transfer formula

Hearts are in talks over a £10million investment deal with Brighton chairman Tony Bloom's sports analysis company Starlizard.

The Edinburgh Evening News report that the entrepreneur is in talks with the Tynecastle club in a move that would transfer how potential new signings are checked over. Any potential deal going through would see the Jambos follow a similar recruitment plan that has helped the Seagulls sign and sell players for huge profits in recent years. Moises Caicedo is the most notable example with the midfielder joining for £4m and then moving on just over two years later to Chelsea for a massive £100m plus even more in significant add-ons.

As part of the proposed investment, Bloom could seek to gain a minority stake in the capital club within the next two years - should Starlizard's methods hit the ground running and prove a success in Gorgie. Foundation of Hearts members would need to give the proposal the green light to go ahead if and when the time comes states the same report. The deal on the table is based on just providing the specialised technology and no tie-up with the EPL side.

The likes of Marc Cucurella, Ben White, Yves Bissouma, Leandro Trossard and Alexis Mac Allister have all left Brighton in recent years in big money deals. Hearts would naturally not be dealing in the same numbers north of the border than the vast investments in England but an agreement would bring the hope of buying and developing players before moving on for profit for years to come.

The news could come as a welcomed boost with on-field matters still slow. Hearts showed an improved performance at Celtic Park at the weekend but ultimately went down 2-0 thanks to goals from Arne Engels and Luke McCowan. It means Steven