Jose Goncalves won't play for Hearts again unless he signs new deal
The Portuguese defender becomes a free agent this summer and has received a proposal to extend his present deal with the Edinburgh club. However, the offer is significantly less than his current contract, which is worth in excess of 10,000 a week to the player.
Goncalves has thusfar refused to sign and has been told by new manager Jim Jefferies that he will only play if he commits his future to Hearts. He was left out of Jefferies' first two matches in charge against St Johnstone and St Mirren despite being fit and available.
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Hide AdThe Evening News revealed last November that the 24-year-old would head for pastures new upon the expiry of his current deal. Goncalves reiterated his intention to leave to Jefferies shortly after the manager was appointed by Hearts last Friday.
"The club has made every effort to keep him at Tynecastle," said Jefferies. "He has been made a good offer but we have got to stick with players who are committed to Hearts. Simple as that. I think he has made his mind up he is leaving Hearts and I'd rather work with players who want to be at the club than those who don't want to be here. Jose has said he won't be here next season. I told him I want him to stay but he seems to have made his mind up he wants to go.
"The transfer window might be closed here in Scotland but there's a chance he could still move on. I only want to work with players who want to play for Heart of Midlothian.
"That is not the case with Jose despite a very good offer having been made to him so I have to plan accordingly and I hope the fans understand that." Goncalves cost Vladimir Romanov 700,000 to lure from the Swiss club FC Thun in January 2006. He initially joined FBK Kaunas of Lithuania, who are financed by Romanov's Ukio Bankas Investment Group, before being loaned to Hearts. He signed a permanent contract at Tynecastle the following year.
He spent last season on loan at Germany's FC Nuremberg and has performed consistently since returning to Hearts in July, but he can expect to remain on the sidelines until the summer unless the tabled contract is signed.