Derek McInnes: Hearts moved quickly to sign Jordi Altena amid growing interest

Derek McInnes revealed Hearts felt compelled to act fast on Jordi Altena as they were wary of missing out on the Dutch right-back.

The Jambos announced on Tuesday that the 22-year-old will officially join them on January 1 for an undisclosed fee – reportedly in excess of £500,000 – on a deal until 2029 after he was unearthed through the club’s partnership with Jamestown Analytics.

Altena drew interest from Union Saint-Gilloise, Real Valladolid and DC United, among others, amid a strong start to the season with Dutch second-tier side RKC Waalwijk following a spell in the amateur ranks with De Treffers.

“He’s a player that has been flagged up for a few months now,” said McInnes. “It’s maybe something that we were potentially looking at at the end of the season, but it quickly became clear that if we wanted to move, then the likelihood is he wouldn’t be there next season, so we had to make a decision.

“It became clear once we showed a bit of interest, that there were other clubs also showing interest. He’s come from amateur (football) and really escalated quickly. We feel that, in the right team, in the right environment, he can thrive with us.”

Altena is set to make his debut for the William Hill Premiership leaders at home to Livingston on Saturday, while Kazakhstan winger Islam Chesnokov, who agreed a pre-contract with the Jambos in the summer, is expected to arrive in Edinburgh on Friday and watch the weekend’s match from the stand.

“Islam will be at Tynecastle on Saturday but it’s probably going to take two or three days before we can get him registered,” said McInnes.

“He’s probably the player that I’ve spoken most about in my career as a manager and I haven’t got to meet him yet, so we’re really looking forward to getting him in.”

McInnes revealed some of Hearts’ fringe players are being primed for January departures.

“There’s been a few conversations with a few of the lads, and maybe a few options for one or two at the minute, but nothing that we can say with any certainty,” he said.

“But these conversations are ongoing with a few of the lads who are maybe seeking to play a wee bit more regular football.”

McInnes played down any prospect of back-up goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who turns 43 on Wednesday, leaving Hearts in order to boost his hopes of going to the World Cup with Scotland.

“Craig’s never hinted about wanting to go out on loan,” he said. “Craig is obviously itching to play his part, but he’s also enjoying being here. He was Scotland’s goalkeeper of choice when he wasn’t playing for us, so we’re under no pressure for Craig to go out.

“There is no desire or enthusiasm for anybody at Hearts to want Craig to go out on loan.”