HEARTS are in talks with Brighton’s billionaire owner Tony Bloom about a £10million investment plan which could revolutionise player recruitment at the Tynecastle club.
Bloom is keen to introduce his sports analytics company Starlizard to Scottish football, with an agreement currently being discussed by both parties.
Whilst nothing has yet been finalised, Mail Sport understands that talks are progressing well and there is a mutual desire on both sides to strike a deal.
If the move goes through, it would see Hearts use the same analytics and have access to the same data that has shaped Brighton’s outstanding recruitment record over recent years.
Brighton owner Bloom is keen to introduce his sports analytics company Starlizard to Hearts
Hearts are keen to take advantage of Bloom's expertise in player analytics
Bloom would not be buying any shares in Hearts initially. But, if the deal proves to be fruitful, he could then seek to gain a minority stake in the Gorgie club at some point over the next two years.
Any such proposal would need approved by Foundation of Hearts members if and when the time comes. FoH are Hearts’ current majority shareholders on behalf of supporters.
But, as things stand, the Starlizard deal does not require FoH approval as it is based solely on them providing Hearts with specialist analytics technology and data. There would be no official tie-up with Brighton and both clubs would remain distinct from each other.
But, nonetheless, Hearts are understood to have used analytics more frequently over recent years and are keen to learn from a club who have established themselves as one of the best in class.
Brighton’s recruitment model has become the envy of clubs across Europe, with the Seagulls routinely selling players for massive profit.
Over the past three years alone, they have raked in well over £400m in player sales and have earned a reputation as one of the best-run clubs in Europe.
Brighton sold midfielder Moises Caicedo for £115m to Chelsea in August 2023
The likes of Moises Caicedo (£115m to Chelsea), Alex Mac Allister (£35m to Liverpool), Yves Bissouma (£25m to Tottenham), Ben White (£50m to Arsenal), Marc Cucurella (£56m to Chelsea] and Leandro Trossard [£21m to Arsenal) have all been sold for big money.
Bloom’s company Starlizard have already laid some of the groundwork after carrying out an external review of Hearts’ structure and recruitment process earlier this summer.
As well as being majority shareholder and chairman at Brighton, Bloom is also a minority shareholder in the Belgian side Royal Union Saint-Gilloise.
With a personal fortune of close to £1.3billion, his involvement and investment with USG have helped them become title contenders.
For him to obtain a future stake in Hearts, any deal would need ratified through a vote conducted by Foundation of Hearts. It would require 90 per cent approval from more than 8,000 members to go through.