Hibs have reportedly priced striker Florian Kamberi out of a move to Croatian side NK Osijek, according to the Daily Record, and it’s a real show of intent by the Hibees ahead of the new season.
The Record claim Hibs demanded a “high six-figure fee” for the striker, putting the Croatians off making a move.
Kamberi’s Easter Road contract runs until 2021 and Hibs boss Paul Heckingbottom is putting a squad in place which should capable of pushing at the right end of the table after the summer.
The additions of players like Scott Allan and Joe Newell will add to a squad that surprised everyone with their long unbeaten run following Heckingbottom’s appointment.
With the right additions, there’s no reason the Hibees can’t push to be best of the rest – or even split the Old Firm and snatch second place.
Hibs could easily have moved Kamberi on and came out with the usual PR puff pieces about the money going to good use and the player wanting a new challenge but it’s clear he can be a massive player next season.
Kamberi ended last season as Hibs top goalscorer – even after being pushed out left to accommodate Marc McNulty.
Whether McNulty returns to Easter Road or not this summer remains up in the air but keeping Kamberi is the right decision by Hibs.
Come May, they’ll be hoping the Swiss striker will have repaid them by firing them up the table and securing European football.