According to Swedish publication fotbolldirekt, Scottish Premiership team Hearts has joined Israeli team Beitar Jerusalem in their pursuit of Nigerian attacker Johnbosco Kalu during the January transfer window.

Following an outstanding 2024 Allsvenskan season in which he scored seven goals and contributed one assist in 22 league games for Värnamo, Kalu attracted the interest of other clubs.

For the second half of the season, Beitar Jerusalem and Hearts are both looking to increase their attacking options.

According to reports, Värnamo is holding out for 434,000 euros (about N0.7 billion in Nigerian money), while Beitar Jerusalem has made a move for Kalu.

The Swedish team has opposed the transfer, arguing that they need to keep the forward because of budgetary limitations.

Despite his modest pay, Kalu has expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation and criticized the club’s exorbitant demands.

“Värnamo is requesting a large sum of money, and they want me. Since I don’t get paid much, I believe that to be unjust. I don’t get paid enough for making such a high demand. “I believe I’m among the team members with the lowest income,” Kalu told Fotbollskanalen.  

Negotiations are difficult since Kalu, who was signed from a Division 5 team, has a contract with Värnamo through the end of the 2026 season, which puts the Swedish team in a strong position.

In an attempt to persuade Värnamo to approve Kalu’s departure, Hearts and Beitar Jerusalem are keeping an eye on the situation as the January transfer window draws near.