Hearts ace and ex-Rangers star Kyle Lafferty wanted by Apollon Limassol to spearhead Europa League campaign
SunSport understands Cypriots have held talks with Lafferty's representatives but Craig Levein insists Hearts have so far received NO bids for Northern Irish striker
APOLLON LIMASSOL want Kyle Lafferty to spearhead their Europa League campaign next season.
The Cypriot side have made the Hearts hitman their main summer target.
And SunSport understands they have already held talks with the 30-year-old’s representatives with a view to securing a deal.
Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok are also interested in signing the Northern Ireland international.
But, as things stand, Hearts have had NO official bid from either side for their star player.
And unless the situation changes, the Tynecastle side expect the forward to report back for pre-season training next week.
Lafferty signed a two-year deal when he joined the Jambos as a free agent last summer.
Their faith in the player was rewarded, with the former Rangers star going on to score 19 goals last season.
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But that also forced boss Craig Levein to admit there could well be interest in the player this summer.
He said: “He has scored some brilliant goals this year, he really has. He is a big-game player.
“I am just keeping my fingers crossed that there aren’t any suitors in the summer and he is still with us.”
Levein has already bolstered his strike force this summer with the signings of Steven MacLean and Uche Ikpeazu.
But earlier this week he insisted that did not mean that Lafferty was on his way.
He said: “I had palpitations looking at the bench last season and not having any strikers, so I’m determined to beef that up.
“The forwards we have signed are all different and I’m pleased with what we’ve got.
“I just want to make sure there is more competition for places in the forward areas. We haven’t had any offers for Kyle.”
Lafferty has also insisted he wants to stay at Tynecastle, saying: “Hopefully I am a Hearts player for the rest of my career.
"If that happens I will be a very happy man.”
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Apollon, who beat Aberdeen in last season’s Europa League, have already signed midfielder Kevin Bru following his release from Ipswich.
And they remain hopeful of landing Lafferty before they play their first European tie on July 12.