Elton Kabangu heading for a Hearts transfer exit

Belgian striker has held talks with head coach Wouter Vrancken

Elton Kabangu is heading towards the exit door at Hearts following frank conversations with head coach Wouter Vrancken. The Edinburgh News can reveal that Kabangu's representatives are now working to find him a new club, with Hearts open to either a loan or a permanent transfer.

The Belgian striker signed a three-year contract at Tynecastle Park last summer after his loan from Union Saint-Gilloise was converted into a permanent deal. However, he played only twice from the start under Vrancken's predecessor, Derek McInnes. Those outings were in League Cup group matches against Hamilton Academical and Dumbarton. In total, Kabangu managed 18 appearance for Hearts last season.

Vrancken has assessed the 32-man first-team squad at Riccarton since succeeding McInnes at the end of last month. Kabangu, 28, does not feature in his plans. Hearts are now looking to move the forward on before the summer transfer window closes on 3 September. Vrancken said the club would not stand in the player's way.

"I don't think so. I think it's in the interests of both the team and the player. They're working on it and we'll see. We'll see what happens," Vrancken told the Edinburgh News. "I think I was really open and honest with him in person. Not only with him, but with every player, actually. He knows what the situation is from my side. Now it's up to him to see what his next step has to be. I think his entourage is working on it."

Hearts begin their William Hill Premiership campaign away at Aberdeen on Saturday night. Vrancken is looking forward to his Scottish league bow in front of the Sky Sports cameras, but is aware his club have not won at Pittodrie for 10 years. "It's an occasion for me and for the team because, when you want to implement new things, you need results," he said. "We have to be ready tomorrow to fight for a good result and break with the tradition of the last years in Aberdeen. I'm looking forward to going there with confidence. Again, when you can get a result as soon as possible, it also helps in implementing things. So, in that way, it's a nice occasion."

The disappointment of losing 6-0 on aggregate to Sturm Graz in the Champions League qualifiers is something Vrancken wants to put to one side. He has nine new signings so far to integrate into the squad, but must do without vice-captain Stephen Kingsley this weekend. He has a hamstring injury which was being scanned on Friday.

There is a doubt over Malachi Fagan-Walcott and Vrancken is weighing up his options to replace Kingsley in central defence. Stuart Findlay, Jamie McCart and MJ Kamson-Kamara could come into contention. "Those are the three choices. Even Oisin [McEntee] and Laurent Mendy have played there, so we have players in the squad to replace Kings," said the manager.

"Again, it's a pity because I think he was doing really well. For the way we want to play, Kingsley is really comfortable on the ball and you also see him during the game coaching the rest. So it's a pity to lose him, hopefully not for too long. But again, others have to step up and take his place.

"I think we're making steps, for sure, because, like we said before already, it's actually a whole new team. There are a lot of new players, let's call it like this, a new staff, new things and a new style of playing. So we have to adapt to a lot of things. We also have to be ready tomorrow and I have a good feeling about this.

"Sturm Graz was a disappointment, but when you watch the games again, you also see that when you have to compete on that level against an experienced team that's used to playing in the league phase in Europe, we're not at that stage yet. Again, we have to be confident going into the Premiership because, against Rayo Vallecano [friendly], we showed some good things, and against Sturm Graz we also showed some good things in moments. We have to take the positives with us, learn from the things we didn't do well and go there with confidence."

Kaynak: Edinburgh Evening News. Telif hakkı kaynak yayına aittir; buradaki metin özet/atıftır.

Orijinal haber: https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hearts/elton-kabangu-heading-for-a-hearts-transfer-exit-8833538