Islam Chesnokov is on the verge of leaving Hearts for a permanent return to Tobol Kostany, with the Scottish club set to bank a six-figure fee for the winger. The move would bring an end to a short spell in Edinburgh that has lasted six months.
That is why Chesnokov is back in focus now. Hearts tried to sign him in January 2025 and again in the summer before finally landing him in January after he had agreed a pre-contract, but he could not be registered until the window opened because his deal with Tobol expired at the end of October.
Once in maroon, Chesnokov made 11 appearances, started six times and scored once. Those numbers explain the scale of the change now: Hearts are not just moving on a fringe player, they are turning a brief and unfinished spell into cash they can use as they reshape the squad.
The pursuit itself had stretched on for months before he arrived, and Tobol were reluctant to sell while they were in a title battle. Chesnokov came to Hearts with considerable expectation, but his impact was not as big as hoped, leaving both sides open to a deal that now appears close to being completed.
Hearts have already confirmed three arrivals in Josh McPake, MJ Kamkam-Kamara and Calvin Miller, while a fee has also been agreed with York City for Malachi Fagan-Walcott and moves for Amadou Ba-Sy and Tom Renaud are all but done. The remaining question is not whether Chesnokov will go, but when the permanent switch back to Tobol is finally signed off.
