Derek McInnes is optimistic that Kazakhstan winger Islam Chesnokov will soon be at Tynecastle, ready to make his debut with Hearts in January after leaving Tobol.
The 26-year-old, who boasts 22 caps for his national team, concluded his two-year stint with the Kostanay club, where he contributed to their fifth-place finish in the 13-team Kazakhstan Premier League. He is currently awaiting a work permit to finalize his transfer as a free agent.
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“We’re still navigating the visa process,” said Hearts head coach McInnes. “There’s been excellent communication and discussions—primarily between [sporting director] Graeme Jones and the relevant parties over the past few days.
“Our goal is to have everything sorted before the holiday season.
“We aim to bring him into the country within the next week. If he receives clearance to train and be in the country, we’ll certainly proceed. He’s had a long season with international breaks and continuous competition at home.
“I believe that taking a mental and physical break will be beneficial for him. However, he’s not going away on holiday; he’ll remain at home. We can quickly find a way to get him back to work. Naturally, we want to integrate him into the squad as soon as possible.”
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McInnes anticipates making one or two additional signings during the January transfer window, but he emphasizes the importance of complying with investor Tony Bloom’s Jamestown Analytics system.
“Ultimately, I have the final decision on whether we pursue a player or extend a contract offer,” he noted.
“There are players with established ratings that are well-known in the media. I can’t simply choose a player and decide to sign him if his profile doesn’t align with Jamestown’s evaluations.
“We aim to enhance the quality of players at the club during each window, selecting individuals that fit everyone’s vision for improvement. These players must meet specific rating criteria.”