HEARTS head coach Robbie Neilson admits he will target foreign players this summer because they offer better value for money.
The Gorgie outfit are looking to make up to five new signings for their return to top-flight football.
Among Neilson's priorities are finding a defender and a striker following the respective departures of captain Danny Wilson and Genero Zeefuik, who returns to Groningen following a successful loan spell. Defenders Brad McKay and Adam Eckersley and midfielders Jason Holt and Scott Robsinson will also move on.
Scouring mainland Europe for players proved fruitful last summer with Neilson landing the likes of Miguel Pallardo, Alim Ozturk and Soufian El Hassnaoui, while Swede Osman Sow joined from Crystal Palace, and he hopes the club's scouting network can unearth more players that are within their wage restrictions.
Neilson said: "It's more than likely that the majority of them will be from abroad just because of the value for money.
"I'm always open to players down in England but the issue you have is just that the wage demands they have are unrealistic to try to get them up here for what I believe their ability levels are.
"We have a budget and that's it. We aren't going to go over our budget because it's set in stone.
"For me, any player who comes in has to be value for money. If I can get somebody I feel is a similar player but on less money, then it's a no-brainer. You go for the guy who's on less money."
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