Hearts in deal bid for Arvydas Novikovas fee

HEARTS are hoping to secure a fee for departing winger Arvydas Novikovas – although the Tynecastle club will have to offer him a new deal to do so.

German sides from the

Bundesliga and Bundesliga.2 are interested in signing the Lithuanian when his contract expires next month, but Hearts are looking for at least £100,000 compensation for

developing the player within their youth academy.

Novikovas moved to the Capital from FK Vilnius in 2008 aged 17 and joined the Riccarton youth academy. As he is still under the age of 23, Hearts would be due training compensation when he joins a new club. However, FIFA rules state that the Jambos must have offered him a new contract on equal terms before he leaves in order to retain the right to a

development fee.

Novikovas is not part of

manager Gary Locke’s first-team plans for next year. Hearts therefore face the dilemma of whether to offer him a new deal matching his existing terms to protect their right to a fee, which the player could then sign and opt to stay on. The Lithuanian internationalist would leave for nothing if they do not offer a contract.

Interest in Novikovas from clubs in Germany is high, but any potential suitors are monitoring the situation as to whether they would need to pay compensation – and if so, how much – for him.

Meanwhile, Hearts have announced that they are releasing Fraser Mullen after informing the 19-year-old defender he will not be offered a new deal. Gordon Smith, Darren Barr

and Denis Prychynenko have already been told they are

surplus to requirements to

next season, with captain

Marius Zaliukas also expected to move on.