Heart Of Midlothian winter transfer window season 2025/26 season.

[chrisyboy7]

On 02/10/2025 at 16:29, Jambo-Fox said:

Not the best time to sell two of the best players. Recruitment of good quality players in the winter window is notoriously difficult. So good quality replacements unlikely to be available.

We already have our targets fir January and next summer 

[SIWYPod]

My personal wishlist for January is:
1. Offer out players that we don't need/can do without - those who's contracts expire this (and next) summer
   Kartum/Nieuwenhof/Spittal/Clark/Kent
2. Get Halkett, Devlin & Beni signed on for longer deals (even just to protect their values for potential future sales) 
3. Borchgrevink was signed to be the first choice RB - if his fitness doesn't improve, we need to recruit another starter. 
 

Winter windows are notoriously hard to do quality business in, so think we need to get our squad numbers in shape ahead of the following season - where further quality upgrades can be sought out 

 

[johnking123]

41 minutes ago, indianajones said:

 

Steinwender is a very very good player who's unlucky not to be playing more. I believe there were enquiries about him in the summer but we rejected approaches. 

 

Hope he stays! 

So do I.  

[weaz1981]

I would like to see a couple of our fringe players loaned out to some clubs lower down the table, with the hope that they can help take points off our rivals. Wilson, Spittal and Kartum come to mind

[johnking123]

If we sign Kenzhebek and move on Forrest.  That would sort left wing. Kenzhebek and Kyziridis on the left. Kerjota and Chesnokov on the right. Move on Spittal and Kartum. Possibly Hoff could move. Bring in another midfield player. Watson? keep up Scots contingent.

[RustyRightPeg]

5 minutes ago, johnking123 said:

If we sign Kenzhebek and move on Forrest.  That would sort left wing. Kenzhebek and Kyziridis on the left. Kerjota and Chesnokov on the right. Move on Spittal and Kartum. Possibly Hoff could move. Bring in another midfield player. Watson? keep up Scots contingent.

You make it sound so easy and not like we have average squad players on inflated salaries that most of the clubs in our league couldn’t afford. 

[johnking123]

Just now, RustyRightPeg said:

You make it sound so easy and not like we have average squad players on inflated salaries that most of the clubs in our league couldn’t afford. 

It won't be easy and will probably cost us. Will depend on how much they want to play football. 

[tcjambo]

I can see Forrest moving on as he will need to get himself a decent deal. Likes of Livi or Falkirk would do well to sign him. Kartum needs to be looking elsewhere too - bit too lightweight for our league. Hof may go as he seems to be out of favour. I'd keep Spittal and loan out Wilson. We need another RB but other than that just need Halkett and at least one of Beni or Cammy to extend.

[MyJambo]

12 hours ago, pettigrewsstylist said:

Any idea if any meet our valuation?

Around 1.5m - 2m

Edited October 14 by MyJambo

[Chimp]

1 hour ago, tcjambo said:

I can see Forrest moving on as he will need to get himself a decent deal. Likes of Livi or Falkirk would do well to sign him. Kartum needs to be looking elsewhere too - bit too lightweight for our league. Hof may go as he seems to be out of favour. I'd keep Spittal and loan out Wilson. We need another RB but other than that just need Halkett and at least one of Beni or Cammy to extend.

 

Hopefully Forrest moves on in January, and yeah most likely to a Livi type team as that's his level. I'd also be punting Spittal too as he's not good enough for Hearts.

 

Hof has been injured so you can't really say he's been out of favour. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DxB Hearts]

We have a CM, and our record signing, to really enter the squad and a very highly thought of RW joining before the end of the year so should be ready to go on January 1st. 
 

Looking through the squad I’m genuinely struggling to see where we need to add to? 
 

RB is obviously still a little up in the air but we Borch to hopefully come in and make an impact. 
 

We still haven’t seen much of Kerjota, Magnusson or Kabore, all of who have looked like they have more to offer as the season goes on.

 

Given we don’t want a massive squad, do we just bring Chesnokov in and call it a day?

 

Im not sure we’ve had a whole squad this balanced since Romanov?!

[Rick Sanchez]

I see Chesnokov can't win the league now. Two games left to go which ends next week.

 

Penultimate game this morning at 11am.

[pettigrewsstylist]

11 minutes ago, DxB Hearts said:

We have a CM, and our record signing, to really enter the squad and a very highly thought of RW joining before the end of the year so should be ready to go on January 1st. 
 

Looking through the squad I’m genuinely struggling to see where we need to add to? 
 

RB is obviously still a little up in the air but we Borch to hopefully come in and make an impact. 
 

We still haven’t seen much of Kerjota, Magnusson or Kabore, all of who have looked like they have more to offer as the season goes on.

 

Given we don’t want a massive squad, do we just bring Chesnokov in and call it a day?

 

Im not sure we’ve had a whole squad this balanced since Romanov?!

Borch rapidly heading the way of Kartum. 

[Uncle Buck]

After Chesnokov I’d probably like to see one more winger come in. Ageu, Kabore, Kerjota and Magnusson haven’t played much yet and could be like new signings at some point in the season. 
 

I think we’ll focus on moving guys on like Forrest, Spittal, Kartum and maybe even Nieuwenhof.

[pettigrewsstylist]

12 minutes ago, DxB Hearts said:

We have a CM, and our record signing, to really enter the squad and a very highly thought of RW joining before the end of the year so should be ready to go on January 1st. 
 

Looking through the squad I’m genuinely struggling to see where we need to add to? 
 

RB is obviously still a little up in the air but we Borch to hopefully come in and make an impact. 
 

We still haven’t seen much of Kerjota, Magnusson or Kabore, all of who have looked like they have more to offer as the season goes on.

 

Given we don’t want a massive squad, do we just bring Chesnokov in and call it a day?

 

Im not sure we’ve had a whole squad this balanced since Romanov?!

RB, LW and CAM. Get them in the building for 6mths , with an eye toward next season.

[Gershwin]

Would be good to sign a couple of players with experience of winning titles. 

[RustyRightPeg]

I think (fairly) one or two maybe more will want to leave to play. 
 

The likes of Forrest and Spittal know how lucky they are so they’ll be happy to sit and play second fiddle. 
 

We may see an Ageu type scenario where it’s too good an opportunity to not sign them and if we don’t pull the trigger in Jan then we won’t get them. 
 

Exciting times though. 

[GinRummy]

On 14/10/2025 at 08:38, RustyRightPeg said:

You make it sound so easy and not like we have average squad players on inflated salaries that most of the clubs in our league couldn’t afford. 

Correct. I do think we’ll see quite a few moved on in January though, might mean it’s just loans out. Not going to be easy but McInnes will have had a few months to assess the squad and will know now who he wants to keep.

 

Edit, apologies, hadn’t seen your latest post. We are more or less saying the same thing. 

Edited October 19 by GinRummy

[Pingu]

On 14/10/2025 at 08:08, SIWYPod said:

My personal wishlist for January is:
1. Offer out players that we don't need/can do without - those who's contracts expire this (and next) summer
   Kartum/Nieuwenhof/Spittal/Clark/Kent
2. Get Halkett, Devlin & Beni signed on for longer deals (even just to protect their values for potential future sales) 
3. Borchgrevink was signed to be the first choice RB - if his fitness doesn't improve, we need to recruit another starter. 
 

Winter windows are notoriously hard to do quality business in, so think we need to get our squad numbers in shape ahead of the following season - where further quality upgrades can be sought out 

 

Broadly agree with all of that. No issue with Kent and Nieuwenhof sticking around if that's what Del wants, and they are happy as backups. I'm not sure where they sit in the pecking order vs our current bench when fully fit.

 

Also need to get Findlay tied up on a pre contract.

 

And, lastly, one surprise signing that immediately improves our starting eleven would a very nice bonus!

[indianajones]

Chances of getting Chesnokovs pal over too? Seems to have went quiet. 

[DxB Hearts]

Just now, indianajones said:

Chances of getting Chesnokovs pal over too? Seems to have went quiet. 

He looks the business as well doesn’t he. More of a winger compared to Chesnokov who plays anywhere across the front. 
 

Bringing both in on frees would be more insanely good work in the market. 

[indianajones]

1 minute ago, DxB Hearts said:

He looks the business as well doesn’t he. More of a winger compared to Chesnokov who plays anywhere across the front. 
 

Bringing both in on frees would be more insanely good work in the market. 

From the very limited stuff I've seen of him, it's the type of January signing that would have us pushing Celtic all the way. 

 

Crazy times. Not been this excited about football for 20 years. 

[DxB Hearts]

1 hour ago, pettigrewsstylist said:

RB, LW and CAM. Get them in the building for 6mths , with an eye toward next season.

RB - yeah, agree it’s the one weak point really.

 

LW - an understudy to Kyzi in prep for unfortunately losing him in the next 6-12 months would be a smart move. Probably move on from Forrest 6 months early. 
 

CAM - we don’t play with them? McInnes has his system here and it’s two high energy midfielders who can go box to box. Unfortunately Beni and Cammy can’t really do the attacking part of that but Ageu can and Magnusson looks like he can too. Doubt we’ll be looking there, particularly if Cammy signs a new deal. 

[GinRummy]

2 minutes ago, indianajones said:

From the very limited stuff I've seen of him, it's the type of January signing that would have us pushing Celtic all the way. 

 

Crazy times. Not been this excited about football for 20 years. 

Very much the same excitement as 2005. Same song as well - We Shall Not Be Moved. 

[DxB Hearts]

1 minute ago, indianajones said:

From the very limited stuff I've seen of him, it's the type of January signing that would have us pushing Celtic all the way. 

 

Crazy times. Not been this excited about football for 20 years. 

It’s been said a millions times already but particularly seeing as we also have Kerjota, Magnusson, Kabore, Ageu and Borch who may end up playing massive roles for us. Kerjota will end up starting RW for us before January. Borch will be our starting RB. Ageu is our record signing and should be better than Beni, which is madness. 
 

Add to that two really exciting wingers and we’re honestly laughing. 

[RustyRightPeg]

4 minutes ago, DxB Hearts said:

It’s been said a millions times already but particularly seeing as we also have Kerjota, Magnusson, Kabore, Ageu and Borch who may end up playing massive roles for us. Kerjota will end up starting RW for us before January. Borch will be our starting RB. Ageu is our record signing and should be better than Beni, which is madness. 
 

Add to that two really exciting wingers and we’re honestly laughing. 

Agree with most but i’m not convinced Borch comes in. He isn’t even making squads while fully fit. 
 

McEntee is getting better week on week in that position and he isn’t uprooting Beni or Cammy as things stand. Magnusson and Ageu there too. 

[pettigrewsstylist]

23 minutes ago, DxB Hearts said:

It’s been said a millions times already but particularly seeing as we also have Kerjota, Magnusson, Kabore, Ageu and Borch who may end up playing massive roles for us. Kerjota will end up starting RW for us before January. Borch will be our starting RB. Ageu is our record signing and should be better than Beni, which is madness. 
 

Add to that two really exciting wingers and we’re honestly laughing. 

Kerjota chances are limited due to us not having a recognisable, trustworthy RB?

[DxB Hearts]

1 minute ago, pettigrewsstylist said:

Kerjota chances are limited due to us not having a recognisable, trustworthy RB?

I suspect that’s the case.

 

If McEntee keeps playing well I can see Kerjota getting a start but it’s not going to come at home to Celtic or away to St Mirren, who pretty tough games. Home to Dundee would be my guess. 

 

The issue with Borch is he can’t play CB so he takes up a spot on the bench for only covering one position I think. 

[pettigrewsstylist]

12 minutes ago, DxB Hearts said:

I suspect that’s the case.

 

If McEntee keeps playing well I can see Kerjota getting a start but it’s not going to come at home to Celtic or away to St Mirren, who pretty tough games. Home to Dundee would be my guess. 

 

The issue with Borch is he can’t play CB so he takes up a spot on the bench for only covering one position I think. 

Aye all likely. Arguably Borch being able to play RB or RWB allows the flex to go to back 3 in game tho 🤷‍♂️

Its a weird one. Starting to wonder if DM may have some trust issues around his robstness in SPFL.

I think our left hand side is weaker without Milne.

Lucky McIntee has settled so well tbh 👊

 

[Luckies1874]

53 minutes ago, DxB Hearts said:

It’s been said a millions times already but particularly seeing as we also have Kerjota, Magnusson, Kabore, Ageu and Borch who may end up playing massive roles for us. Kerjota will end up starting RW for us before January. Borch will be our starting RB. Ageu is our record signing and should be better than Beni, which is madness. 
 

Add to that two really exciting wingers and we’re honestly laughing. 

 

I think Chesnokov will be starting where Milne has been in January. 

[OTT]

Although we thumped them, I'd still like us to take a look at David Watson & Lewis Mayo from Killie. 

 

Watson looks a very dynamic CM, and I suspect in the summer we will need to move on some of the less productive members of our squad, namely, Blair Spittal, Sander Kartum and Callem Nieuenhoff. If we could replace those 3 with 1 player, I think that would be excellent business irrespective of what the development fee is. 

 

Similarly, Frankie Kent is an experienced player, who is now getting a bit injury prone. Steinwender, I think the jury is out on, therefore getting a player who is versatile enough to play RB, but also can cover for Halks if god forbid anything happens is imperative. Lewis Mayo is a CB that can play RB and seems pretty solid and reliable. 

 

Connor Barron's development fee worked out as £640k plus another £250k in performance bonuses. If we could get Watson for that, I'd be very comfortable with that. Mayo would be a free transfer. 

 

I think Alan Forrest should be moved on in the summer too. Lewis Smith at Livi looks to be performing very well, and Martindale is no slouch when it comes to picking up decent Scottish talent. IMO he could be a very shrewd signing. 

 

 

Edited October 19 by OTT

[johnking123]

16 minutes ago, OTT said:

Although we thumped them, I'd still like us to take a look at David Watson & Lewis Mayo from Killie. 

 

Watson looks a very dynamic CM, and I suspect in the summer we will need to move on some of the less productive members of our squad, namely, Blair Spittal, Sander Kartum and Callem Nieuenhoff. If we could replace those 3 with 1 player, I think that would be excellent business irrespective of what the development fee is. 

 

Similarly, Frankie Kent is an experienced player, who is now getting a bit injury prone. Steinwender, I think the jury is out on, therefore getting a player who is versatile enough to play RB, but also can cover for Halks if god forbid anything happens is imperative.

 

Connor Barron's development fee worked out as £640k plus another £250k in performance bonuses. If we could get Watson for that, I'd be very comfortable with that. Mayo would be a free transfer. 

 

I think Alan Forrest should be moved on in the summer too. Lewis Smith at Livi looks to be performing very well, and Martindale is no slouch when it comes to picking up decent Scottish talent. IMO he could be a very shrewd signing. 

 

 

Not fussed about Mayo. But Watson looks good.

[GinRummy]

49 minutes ago, Luckies1874 said:

 

I think Chesnokov will be starting where Milne has been in January. 

I agree. I think the chances are that Milne will be back a left back a fair wee bit before chesnokov arrives. 

[Pingu]

33 minutes ago, johnking123 said:

Not fussed about Mayo. But Watson looks good.

Agreed. Don't think Mayo is any better than the CBs we have. Watson would likely be an upgrade on Spittal, Kartum, Nieuwenhof.

[Pingu]

Selling our fringe players could actually make us a bit of cash. For example, if we sold Kartum, Vargas, Clark, Spittal, Nieuwenhof, Stone and Kent (we won't sell them all, of course) we'd potentially raise enough in total to cover Ageu's transfer fee without noticeably weakening our squad!

[TheBigO]

3 hours ago, OTT said:

Although we thumped them, I'd still like us to take a look at David Watson & Lewis Mayo from Killie. 

 

Watson looks a very dynamic CM, and I suspect in the summer we will need to move on some of the less productive members of our squad, namely, Blair Spittal, Sander Kartum and Callem Nieuenhoff. If we could replace those 3 with 1 player, I think that would be excellent business irrespective of what the development fee is. 

 

Similarly, Frankie Kent is an experienced player, who is now getting a bit injury prone. Steinwender, I think the jury is out on, therefore getting a player who is versatile enough to play RB, but also can cover for Halks if god forbid anything happens is imperative. Lewis Mayo is a CB that can play RB and seems pretty solid and reliable. 

 

Connor Barron's development fee worked out as £640k plus another £250k in performance bonuses. If we could get Watson for that, I'd be very comfortable with that. Mayo would be a free transfer. 

 

I think Alan Forrest should be moved on in the summer too. Lewis Smith at Livi looks to be performing very well, and Martindale is no slouch when it comes to picking up decent Scottish talent. IMO he could be a very shrewd signing. 

 

 

Have to say I've not once been impressed with Mayo when ive watched Killie. I dont see what people see. Maybe im wrong...??

 

But Watson, yes, very good. The question will always be, these days... do Hearts think we can find better though??

[merseyjambo]

When does the Scandi Transfer window open.

 

Would be no surprise if Kartum heads back to Norway at first opportunity. Borch may be similar. 
 

Forrest and Kent will be with us until end of season but won’t get a renewal. 
 

Could see Clark going in January either as a loan or transfer. Similarly Neuwenhoff. 
 

Hopefully we are still looking at the left winger from Kazakhstan and maybe a Right Back.

 

Summer wouldn’t surprise me to lose Spittal, Kingsley and Dhanda. Gordon will retire as he’s looking for World Cup swan song. I doubt that both Beni and Devlin will be with us after summer. One of them yes but think we will lose one not re-signing or not offering them a new deal.
 

Watson in middle of park would be ideal. 

[Drylaw Hearts]

We need a RB, a RM and we still need a big CF imo.

[Rick Sanchez]

Kenzhebek would be a proper statement but it's very unlikely. I can't wait to see Ageu.

[Gorgierools]

2 minutes ago, Rick Sanchez said:

Kenzhebek would be a proper statement but it's very unlikely. I can't wait to see Ageu.l Kenzhebek, with the new Chezzny and a quality, regularly fit and comfortable attacking the wing, RB , and we piss this league

[DxB Hearts]

24 minutes ago, Rick Sanchez said:

Kenzhebek would be a proper statement but it's very unlikely. I can't wait to see Ageu.

Why would it be very unlikely? Hes a free from Kazakhstan who has spent time in Slovakia and the second tier in Cyprus in the past 18 months. He wouldn’t even be close to our top earner and we would be by far and away the biggest and most significant club he has played for. 

[RustyRightPeg]

4 hours ago, Pingu said:

Agreed. Don't think Mayo is any better than the CBs we have. Watson would likely be an upgrade on Spittal, Kartum, Nieuwenhof.

McCart’s a better CB than Mayo. 

[Gordons left glove]

Apologies if already posted

Would be a great signing and it's good to see we're going for him

[El Prez]

2 minutes ago, Gordons left glove said:

Apologies if already posted

Would be a great signing and it's good to see we're going for him

Don't think anyone would complain if that's got a modicum of truth to it. 

 

Will have plenty of options. At least putting ourselves forward as one of those potentially, is the right course of action. 

[OTT]

5 minutes ago, Gordons left glove said:

Apologies if already posted

Would be a great signing and it's good to see we're going for him

 

Rangers have already signed Barron & Cameron. Neither look to have performed very well IMO. 

 

I don't think Rangers have a cohesive recruitment policy. 

Rangers will always be able to offer more than us, but IMO Watson will be playing in a big 5 league in 2 years if he signs for Hearts. 

[daavojaay]

On 02/10/2025 at 16:08, Watt-Zeefuik said:

I still say we'll sell as many as 5, including 2-3 we'll be very sorry to see go, for a rather large chunk of change.

I don't see us selling our assets after half a season. Maybe at end of this season we may see some go

[jamboinglasgow]

Just now, OTT said:

 

Rangers have already signed Barron & Cameron. Neither look to have performed very well IMO. 

 

I don't think Rangers have a cohesive recruitment policy. 

Rangers will always be able to offer more than us, but IMO Watson will be playing in a big 5 league in 2 years if he signs for Hearts. 

 

I would agree. 

 

Rangers signing Watson after signing Cameron in the summer would show terrible planning in recruitment as they are similar players. And if I was a young Scottish player I would question if I would develop at Rangers based as you say on the other two (plus Curtis playing really well this season then dumped out in favour of a young English player on loan who has not been effective.)

 

I would also agree about playing for a big league if he comes. 

[johnking123]

I can see us selling Milne, if anyone. Just with him only signing a years extension. If right offer comes in obviously.  

[south morocco]

2 minutes ago, jamboinglasgow said:

 

I would agree. 

 

Rangers signing Watson after signing Cameron in the summer would show terrible planning in recruitment as they are similar players. And if I was a young Scottish player I would question if I would develop at Rangers based as you say on the other two (plus Curtis playing really well this season then dumped out in favour of a young English player on loan who has not been effective.)

 

I would also agree about playing for a big league if he comes. 

Agreed although I think it’s going to take time for us to attract players like Watson over the OF. 

[RustyRightPeg]

On 02/10/2025 at 16:08, Watt-Zeefuik said:

I still say we'll sell as many as 5, including 2-3 we'll be very sorry to see go, for a rather large chunk of change.

We’ll sell 5 players in January?