Hibs manager Nick Montgomery has stated that he hopes to add four players this month, but he has also stated that he will not be able to spend heavily due to the anticipated Bill Foley investment.
The US billionaire wants to buy a minority stake in the capital team, and the club is still in negotiations with the Scottish Football Association to get this done. However, it is unlikely that a deal will be done in time to impact the current transfer window. The Premier League team Bournemouth’s owner is expected to contribute an initial £6 million, most of which will go toward planned upgrades at the club’s East Mains training facility and stadium infrastructure, though some may go toward recruiting. But the Hibs boss says that won’t happen until all the paperwork is finished and the required approval has been received.
Montgomery stated, “It’s been well documented, but not confirmed yet.” “There are SFA regulations to follow, but until money is guaranteed, the club has been very clear about where that investment will go: it will go toward improving the stadium and training ground, and some of it may even end up going into the budget.” We are doing the best we can with what we have until that is guaranteed.
Despite the budgetary constraints, Montgomery is looking for reinforcements. He will be without four first-team squad players due to international commitments when his men face Motherwell in their final match ahead of the winter shutdown on Tuesday, with Martin Boyle and Lewis Miller part of the Australia squad for the Asian Cup, and Rocky Bushiri and back-up keeper Jojo Wollacott called up by DR Congo and Ghana respectively for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Depending on how far the respective countries progress in each tournament, Montgomery could also be without that contingent for up to five games after competitive action resumes, starting with the Scottish Cup tie on January 20 against Forfar Athletic. The squad is already depleted due to injuries, with Josh Campbell the latest to be sidelined. He is expected to be out for over a month with an ankle injury sustained in last week’s derby defeat.
“You only have to look at the squad,” continued Montgomery. “Anyone looking at the contrast between our squad and Hearts at the moment, you can see that they have a much bigger budget than we have. And that means you can bring in more players to create strength in depth. With Josh Campbell going out, the magic number [of new signings] would be four. If we can get two, or one, that’s what we’ll work towards.
“We can only stretch the budget available so far, so that’s why we have to be clinical in our recruitment. We have got a couple of targets but it’s not easy to get quality players in, and to have clubs willing to let them come in for the budget we have available. We’re working really hard, and maybe one or two will go out to help fund that. It’s an ongoing situation but it’s the same at every club this time of year. If any players move on, there can be a knock on effect in freeing up the budget to bring another player in. But, it’s really hard to say.”
GET MORE NEWS HERE