According to Edinburgh Live, Hearts are after recent Manchester City signing Ryotaro Meshino.
The Japanese midfielder switched from his home-town team Gamba Osaka for the Etihad after breaking into the Japanese side’s senior team.
Recent Manchester City recruit Meshino is a reported Hearts target. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images)
Now he looks set to leave Manchester on loan, with Hearts as his next destination.
Manchester City prospect Meshino would add attacking versatility
The Edinburgh Live report claims talks have been held between both parties, but whether a deal goes through ‘remains to be seen’.
He would be the first ever Japanese player to pull on the maroon of Hearts.
Meshino would be the first Japanese Hearts player. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images)
It’s well documented that Hearts were light of quality midfielders ahead of the 2019/20 campaign. Craig Levein recently added Loic Damour to help with this problem.
Levein has also confirmed to the Edinburgh Evening News that they are in talks with ex-Aston Villa midfielder Glenn Whelan. If he manages to secure the signature of the experienced Irish battler, the Jambos boss will have the defensive bite he desperately needs.
Meshino is clearly one for the future in City’s eyes. He has impressed with Osaka, having came through their youth ranks and starring at that level.
Meshino has played attacking roles during his youth and senior career. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images)
He’d be an attacking signing. According to Transfermarkt, Meshino has played 17 games at left midfield, 13 games as a centre forward and 11 as an attacking midfielder. The 21-year-old has also made sporadic appearances at right midfield and central midfield.
Hearts are struggling in front of goal right now. Interestingly enough, in the 13 games Meshino has played up top, he has eight goals. Perhaps Levein may want to see if he can make the step up and deliver that at a senior level, in completely different surroundings.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Jambos get this one over the line, and if he does arrive, whether he plays in attack or midfield.