There is no surprise in the fact Hearts are targeting January transfers to get them out of their predicament.
Right now, the woeful Jambos are currently in a relegation battle after defeat to Hibs in the Edinburgh derby left them 11th in the Premiership.
They lack attacking prowess and pace throughout the team and are also conceding goals too easily at the back.
So it was also no surprise when manager Neil Critchley admitted Hearts were targeting a striker and centre-backs in January.
They would probably need to do even more business than that but it could depend on the Jambos getting high-earning out-of-favour players like Liam Boyce and Barrie McKay off the wage bill.
But it has now emerged that the striker the Tynecastle men are targeting in January is Elton Kabangu of Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium, according to the Edinburgh Evening News.
Who is Hearts January transfer target Elton Kabangu?
With Hearts signing a deal with Jamestown Analytics to use their data, they will be targeting players who show up well using their algorithm.
It is probably no coincidence then that they are looking at a player from another club which has partnered with Jamestown in USG.
Brighton owner Tony Bloom, who has held talks about investing in Hearts, is also a minority shareholder there.
Elton Daniël Kabangu is a 26-year-old forward from Belgium who currently plays for USG after signing from Dutch side Willem II last year. He can play through the middle as a striker or on the wing.
He started out at Gent in his homeland but didn’t make a first-team breakthrough and had a loan spell at FC Eindhoven.
He spent two seasons in the Dutch second tier, scoring ten goals in his first campaign and then nine in the following.
That earned Kabangu a move to Willem II in the top flight but he initially played for their reserve side, before making 24 Eredivisie appearances in 2021/22, scoring three times. He often played out wide and from the bench, though.
His team were relegated and in the following campaign, Kabangu found the net 12 times in the Dutch second tier.
Union Saint-Gilloise, who use Jamestown Analytics in their recruitment, then identified him as a signing but he played just 12 times in the league last season, all from the bench.
This campaign his game time has been as limited with seven sub appearances in the Belgian top flight. He has also featured in Champions League qualifying and the Europa League.
What is being said about Hearts’ interest in Elton Kabangu?
The report states that Hearts are looking at a January loan deal for the 26-year-old forward.
Talks have already taken place between the two clubs.
Those discussions are said to have progressed in recent days and that would suggest a deal may be quite far down the line.
USG have made the player available as he is out of favour and Hearts are keen to get the deal done after the January window opens as they look to add pace to Neil Critchley’s side.