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Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken has moved to reassure supporters that striker Claudio Braga remains firmly in his Champions League plans despite mounting transfer speculation.
Braga has been strongly linked with a summer move to French giants Lyon, though Vrancken insists no concrete offer has yet materialised for the in-demand forward.
Speaking from Hearts’ pre-season base in Spain, the Belgian coach made clear that Braga will be treated as a fully available option for as long as he remains at the club.
Vrancken stated: “I don’t know. I don’t hear it. I didn’t hear it until now that there’s really concrete interest. As long as he’s here, I treat him like he can start the game.”
He added: “I put my energy in the guys who are here. At this moment, Claudio is here. Mentally and physically, he’s also ready to perform.”
Hearts are preparing to open their Champions League campaign on the road against Sturm Graz in a matter of weeks, adding significant weight to any squad decisions made this summer.
Vrancken acknowledged the transfer window can shift circumstances rapidly, but suggested the spotlight of European football could actually work in Braga’s favour as a showcase opportunity.
“It can also be a good thing to show himself again,” the Hearts head coach stated, adding that the window could benefit Braga if a move is what he ultimately desires.
Vrancken also reflected on the broader model of developing players to attract big-money transfers, describing it as a necessary part of keeping a club financially healthy and sustainable.
He said: “That’s also to stay healthy as a club, I think,” referencing how teams across Belgium and beyond build transfer value into their overall footballing philosophy.
Hearts travelled to Spain with a squad of 30 players, though several members are still working their way back from injury and Cammy Devlin’s contract situation has yet to be resolved.
Vrancken was candid about his preference for a leaner group heading into such a demanding season, with European and domestic commitments piling up quickly from August onwards.
He confirmed: “Yeah. I think it’s best that you go like 26, 27 in total with the goalkeepers in. I think that would be perfect.”
The coach did add a note of caution around squad evaluations, pointing out that most players in Spain had only featured for around 45 minutes, making firm conclusions difficult to draw at this stage.
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