Wouter Vrancken nears Hearts head coach role As transfer talks swirl

Wouter Vrancken, the 47‑year‑old former St Truiden manager who guided the Belgian side to third place in the Pro League, is close to being appointed as the new head coach of Scottish club Hearts after an interview alongside Maarten Martens and Rene Hake.

Vrancken quit St Truiden this summer to seek a new challenge.

Maarten Martens is a former AZ Alkmaar boss, and Rene Hake has previously been on the coaching staff at both Feyenoord and Manchester United.

French club Lyon are in talks with Hearts about forward Claudio Braga, a 26‑year‑old Portuguese striker, with the Tynecastle side hoping to receive about £8.6 million.

Hearts will demand £8 million‑£10 million for Braga, noting that Lyon have lost Brazil's Endrick after his loan from Real Madrid, and that other clubs are showing interest.

Hearts are also interested in Zwolle striker Koen Kostons, a 26‑year‑old who was signed from Paderborn last summer, and are prepared to pay around £1.3 million.

Defender Michael Steinwender, also 26, is in talks about a potential move to German second‑tier club Bochum, with Hearts expected to profit on the six‑figure fee they paid Varnamo for him 18 months ago.