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The Scottish Premiership Player of the Year has moved to calm speculation surrounding his future amid reported interest from French club Lyon.
Claudio Braga, Hearts’ standout performer last season, says he is happy at Tynecastle and leaving transfer matters entirely to his agents.
Lyon have been credited with a serious interest in the Portuguese forward, with Hearts believed to be seeking at least £8 million for his signature.
Despite the speculation, Braga still has two years remaining on his contract at Gorgie and appears in no rush to seek a move away from the club.
“I have two years left on my contract and I really like where I am,” he told Abola. “Anything regarding interest is handled by my agents. I stay out of it.”
His focus appears firmly fixed on new head coach Wouter Vrancken’s squad and the prospect of competing in Champions League qualifying this summer.
Hearts face Sturm Graz in the second round of qualifying, a tie Braga has described as a chance to fulfil one of the biggest dreams of his career.
“I’m about to fulfil one of my biggest dreams. Just knowing it’s possible to play in the Champions League is incredible, even if it’s only a qualifier,” he said.
Braga acknowledged the challenge of facing Sturm Graz but expressed confidence in what Hearts can produce, particularly at a formidable Tynecastle fortress.
“We’re facing a very strong team in Sturm Graz, but at Tynecastle we’re very strong as well. We proved that last season,” he added.
Hearts came agonisingly close to ending a 66-year wait for the Premiership title last term, only to be denied by Celtic on the final day of the season.
A 3-1 Celtic victory meant the Hoops claimed a fifth consecutive title, with Hearts watching their historic opportunity disappear in the closing stages.
“It was horrible. Almost everything about the season was perfect. Every time we lost or drew, we always responded by winning the next match,” Braga said.
“But after coming so close to lifting the trophy and then seeing everything change in the final seconds and Celtic celebrating… the season stopped being historic and incredible because that last piece was the most important.”
The aftermath at Celtic Park was stark, with Braga recalling how the squad left the stadium immediately without showering or receiving a team talk.
“We went straight onto the bus. Thousands of people were waiting for us at Tynecastle. That’s when it really hit us. As we got off the bus we all started crying.”
Braga was named as a substitute for that decisive clash at Parkhead, with manager Derek McInnes acknowledging the forward had been carrying an injury.
However, Braga has since revealed the decision to start Landry Kabore ahead of him was driven by both physical and tactical considerations from the coaching staff.
“It was a mixed bag, for physical and tactical reasons. I’d had some pain for a while, and the coach decided to bring on the other striker,” he explained.
“Obviously, being the most important game of my life and after having played almost every game, there was that bitter feeling of not having been able to help the team.”
Despite the painful conclusion to the season, Braga insists Hearts made the vast majority of their supporters proud and is focused on pushing forward in 2026.
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