Hearts have confirmed that Armand Gnanduillet has left Tynecastle to join French side Le Mans after a year with the Jambos.
The striker had fallen out of favour under Robbie Neilson and was expected to leave Gorgie this month and he’s put pen-to-paper on a deal with the Championnat National side.
Gnanduillet scored six times in 30 appearances for Hearts, having signed from Turkish side Altay, hitting the net twice on his debut for the Jambos.
However, after promotion to the Premiership in the summer, the striker struggled for minutes as Robbie Neilson’s side surged to third in the table.
The 6ft5 striker has only made three starts this season but was linked with a number of clubs before his move to Le Mans was confirmed by Hearts this morning.
Sheffield Wednesday, Wrexham and Salford City were among those reportedly interesting in signing Gnanduillet but the opportunity to return to France has won the striker over.
Gnanduillet wasn’t even named in the squad in midweek for Hearts when they faced St Johnstone – despite Robbie Neilson only naming eight out of nine substitutes for the Premiership clash.
Whether Neilson looks to bring in another striker before the window remains to be seen but it would make a lot of sense to try and strengthen ahead of the transfer window closing and pushing the likes of Liam Boyce.
Finishing third in the league could guarantee European group stage football next season so it is vital for Hearts to avoid wasting the advantage they built up before the winter break.
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