Hearts manager Neil Critchley has confirmed that Barnet-born Nigerian right-back Daniel Oyegoke is close to leaving the club, following their 3-2 victory over Kilmarnock on Saturday.

The 22-year-old defender, who spent four years at Arsenal before joining Brentford and later Hearts in the summer of 2024, was notably absent from the matchday squad. Critchley revealed that a bid had been received, and negotiations with another club were in advanced stages.

“We’ve had a bid from another club, so they’re negotiating. It’s close to being finalized but not completed, so we’ll see in the next 24 to 48 hours,” Critchley told reporters.

Oyegoke, who signed a three-year deal with the Jam Tarts, has been a key player this season with 26 appearances. However, his future now appears to lie away from Edinburgh, with Italian clubs, including Lecce, expressing strong interest ahead of the January transfer deadline.

A former England youth international and 2022 European U19 Championship winner, Oyegoke declined a contract extension at Arsenal in 2021 to join Brentford, where he featured for the B team and went on loan to Milton Keynes Dons and Bradford City, making 37 Football League appearances.