FRENCH EYE BRELLIER BID

FRENCH side Le Mans are set to offer Hearts outcast Julien Brellier the chance to return to his homeland.

The midfielder is a cult hero among the Gorgie faithful but has become a peripheral figure at Tynecastle since talks over a new deal stalled.

Brellier (below) would love to stay with the Jambos but that decision might be taken out of his hands with owner Vladimir Romanov playing hardball.

The 24-year-old's deal runs out at the end of the season so he can speak to clubs from January.

And mid-table Ligue One club Le Mans are waiting to pounce if the former Inter Milan ace becomes available. Brellier's agent Maurizio de Giorgis said: "Julien has had requests from other clubs but I'd prefer not to name them as it's not relevant.

"What's relevant is that he wants to stay. We feel he can be a good player for Hearts, maybe there is room for him.

"I don't have a meeting scheduled but I hope to speak with the club soon."

However, Le Mans boss Frederic Hantz is keen to land Brellier and could even offer Hearts cash to get him in January.

He wants to sign a defensive midfielder after losing two players in that position at the end of last season.

Yohan Hautcoeur moved to Saint-Etienne while Frederic Thomas was snapped up by Auxerre.

Taken from the Sunday Mail