Hearts submit bid to sign AFCON forward who’s leading race for golden boot
Hearts have seen a bid to sign Uganda winger Rogers Mato rejected by Macedonian side FK Vardar as they aim to bolster Derek McInnes’ attacking depth this month.
Hearts have mounted an unlikely challenge for the Scottish Premiership title this season under McInnes, capitalising on the misfortunes of Celtic and Rangers.
They have led the way for the majority of the campaign so far, and still sit top of the table ahead of the two Glasgow giants right now, with 44 points taken from their 20 league games.
A shock Scottish Premiership triumph would transform Hearts’ finances and provide a much-needed boost to other clubs who wish to challenge Celtic and Rangers.
They are aiming to add to McInnes‘ squad in the January transfer window to help seal a first title since 1960, but have been rebuffed in their efforts to bring Mato in this month.
Hearts see £300,000 bid for Mato rejected by Vardar
22-year-old winger Mato is the joint-top scorer in the Macedonian top flight right now, with 12 goals, and he also recently represented Uganda at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Journalist Filip Mishov has reported, via X, that his club FK Vardar have rejected a bid worth €350,000 (£300,000) from Hearts for Mato, and they are adamant that he is not for sale right now.
The winger’s importance to the club is believed to be worth much more than the fee offered by the Jambos, who could return with a better offer soon.
What has McInnes said about Hearts’ January plans?
The Premiership leaders have already been busy on the transfer front this month, with Kazakhstan winger Islam Chesnokov and Dutch right-back Jordi Altena both joining the club in the last week.
It has been all change at Celtic as Martin O’Neill prepares to take charge for the rest of the season, while Danny Rohl has improved Rangers’ form, but they still sit three points behind Hearts, who have a game in hand.
McInnes’ side will need to continue their impressive form for the next four months to seal a long-awaited title, and the Jambos boss has made it clear what he wants from this month.
In a December interview, he said: “We’re looking to come out the window a wee bit stronger than where we’re at. I think that it’s important [to get business done early].
“A lot of the time, clubs don’t actually get things done until the last couple of days because it’s a game of poker. If you can strike quickly…from the start of the window to the end is four or five games, so you get the benefit of that.”
This pursuit of Mato, after two new arrivals were already signed, proves that Hearts are serious about adding quality to their squad this month, but it remains to be seen whether they will be able to get a deal over the line for the Uganda international soon.