Hearts defender Goncalves attracting German interest

STV
Jose Goncalves: out of contract in the summer and could move to Germany.

Jose Goncalves could be leaving Hearts for a return to Germany. The Portuguese defender, who had a loan spell with Nuremburg last season, is wanted by Bundesliga side Stuttgart.

Goncalves, 24, is out of contract in the summer and would be available on a free transfer in July. That would suit Christian Gross’ side perfectly, with Juventus defender Cristian Molinaro having signed on a loan deal until the end of the current campaign.

Hearts haven’t given up hope of keeping their star defender though and have entered talks with his representatives over a extension to his current deal. Goncalves is also keen to stay in Edinburgh, but knows that he could be moved on in the January transfer window as his team try to cash in.

“I want to stay with Hearts,” said Goncalves. “If something happens in January so be it.”

In December, Celtic were linked with a Bosman move for the versatile defender, who can play at either left-back or centre-back. Sporting Lisbon were also linked with a move for his services in the January transfer window, a move the player admitted he would welcome once his Hearts’ contract was up.

"I would be available to play for Sporting if they wanted me but there has been no contact yet," explained Goncalves. "I'm happy with the interest and confident I could have success there but I still have six months left on my contract with Hearts.

Goncalves moved to Tynecastle from Swiss club Thun in January 2006, originally joining Lithuanian feeder side FC Kaunas before being loaned to the SPL team.

He was surprisingly loaned to Nuremburg for the 2008/09 season but his spell with the then 2. Bundesliga club was punctuated by injury. His time with Hearts has also been beset with setbacks, with his first season curtailed by hamstring, hip and toe problems.

In the three full seasons he has been involved in the Hearts first team, he has made just 66 appearances, scoring twice. He has been absent from the Hearts team since their last game of 2009 with a thigh injury, but is expected to return for their trip to face Rangers on Saturday.