Guendouz snubs Saudi riches for Hearts’ Champions League dream

Hearts new boy Sabri Guendouz has revealed he turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia to join the Tynecastle club, saying the prospect of Champions League qualifying football left him “wowed” by the Gorgie side.

The French forward completed an £850,000 move from Belgian second-tier outfit Beerschot last month, with Hearts fending off competition from a host of suitors across Europe and the Middle East to land his signature.

Multiple offers on the table

According to the Daily Record, the 26-year-old had interest from AZ Alkmaar as well as clubs in Belgium, Sweden and Saudi Arabia before opting for Hearts. Guendouz, who had been playing in France’s second tier and struggling for regular game time at Guingamp last season, admitted he was taken aback by the scale of interest.

He told the Daily Record: “I had Hearts, AZ Alkmaar, a club in Saudi Arabia, a club in Sweden, a club in Belgium. But when I saw Hearts I said ‘Wow.’ One year I was not playing much for Guingamp, the next year I came to this club.”

“Every player, when he is young, plays for this kind of opportunity. Now I am here and on my way. Now I will take a big step this season,” he added.

Guendouz, who was born in Cambrai, said Hearts first made contact in early May and that he closely followed the club’s title challenge before signing. Their Champions League qualifying opener away to Sturm Graz on 21 July was a key factor in his decision.

“The first contact with Hearts was the start of May. I played in the play-off in the final month. I talked with the old coach, Derek, and Steve [Walker, head of medical],” he said, referring to former boss Derek McInnes, who has since moved to Rangers.

“I watched the games and the end of the season. Hearts were in first place all the season. The interest was very big for me and my small career,” Guendouz continued.

Familiar with new head coach

Guendouz will now work under new Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken, whom he faced regularly during his time in Belgium’s top flight. Vrancken guided Sint-Truiden to a surprise third-placed finish last season, behind Club Brugge and Union Saint-Gilloise.

“I know the coach because I played in the first league in Belgium. He had a big season. Sint-Truiden finished third, all season they were second,” Guendouz said. “They qualified for Europe. I saw the games, they have good players, a good team. They played good football. Now the coach is going to do the same.”

Hearts are believed to have been alerted to Guendouz through data specialists Jamestown Analytics, who also support Union Saint-Gilloise.

Attacking midfield role

Although billed as a winger, Guendouz revealed Vrancken sees him operating in a more central attacking midfield role at Tynecastle.

“I have talked with the coach about my position. He said it is better if I play in the No.10 position. Maybe the 10 is where the team can get the best out of me. I like to dribble, be direct and play offensively. I like to get on the ball,” he said.

The forward cited Ronaldinho, Neymar and Rayan Cherki as players he tries to emulate, saying he wants to entertain supporters at Tynecastle while helping the team on the pitch rather than focusing purely on goals and assists.