Hibs’ hectic summer transfer window is likely to continue this week.
The club have pulled out of a move for Scunthorpe United midfielder Funso Ojo but are close to securing Preston North End goalkeeper Chris Maxwell on loan.
South Africa striker Ryan Moon has also arrived on trial after his release by Kaizer Chiefs.
Hibs’ fans are also hopeful that Marc McNulty and Stephane Omeonga, who both impressed on loan last season will return to Easter Road however Head Coach Paul Heckingbottom suggests that it will be difficult to meet their parent clubs’ valuation and indicated that loan deals may be the way ahead.
He told BBC Scotland: “We know we want them, but it’s really difficult to get them done.
“There was no way we were paying the original asking price. We had to wait to see if we can get them on loan, but there comes a point where you have to get on with your own business, so we went down another route.
“If the opportunity comes further down the line then they will definitely look to do something.”
Hibs have already made five new signings but reports suggest that they are unlikely to be joined by 27-year-old Ojo.
He continued: “There is nothing we can do – the Ojo deal is dead.
“We like the player and we tried to take advantage of a clause in his contract where he could leave on a free with them getting relegated.
“He wanted to come, so we spoke with Scunthorpe and we believed we could get it done. Then they changed their mind, backtracked and made it really difficult.”
However, Higgingbottom is “hopeful” that a loan deal for goalkeeper Maxwell will be “done sooner rather than later”.
Moon, who has two caps for his country but failed to score in 17 outings for Kaizer Chiefs last season, could also be offered a contract should he impress on trial.
Heckingbottom also revealed that he is still looking to bring in a holding midfielder who can ‘pass out from the back and reacts well when we lose the ball.’
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
