Pat Fenlon in the hunt for Portuguese star Pedro Santos

The Easter Road club are understood to have watched Santos in action for Vitoria Setubal, currently lying 12th in Portugal’s Primeira League, several times in recent weeks.

They have yet to make a move for the star whose deal is up at the end of the season but, in any case, Fenlon would be unable to bring Santos in during the current transfer window as he has  already played in Portugal this season for Leixoes as well as Vitoria Setubal and can’t turn out for a third club,

Fenlon, however, could agree terms for Santos to join his squad in the summer, the Hibs manager having made it clear that while he’d like to strengthen his pool this month in a bid to help push for a European place, he’s also looking to the longer term. Santos’s agent Carlos Goncalves revealed the player is waiting for a firm contract offer, adding: “There are a number of clubs interested in Pedro at the moment but we haven’t had an official approach yet. We are waiting to see what happens next.”

As yet the only transfer activity at Easter Road has been the departure of Ivan Sproule, who has signed an 18-month contract with SPL rivals Ross County, while youngsters Sam Stanton and Scott Smith have joined Cowdenbeath and Dumbarton on loan. Fenlon, though, is hopeful of receiving positive news in regard to extending the loan deals of top scorer Leigh Griffiths and Manchester City defender Ryan McGivern.

Talks are also ongoing with Motagua regarding an extention of Jorge Claros’ stay in Edinburgh but the Honduran international midfielder has 18 months remaining on his contract, unlike Griffiths and McGivern who become free agents at the end of the season.