According to a report from Africafooty.com, Hibs have entered talks to sign CS Sfaxien midfielder Balla Moussa Conte.
Hibs have apparently been in talks with the player and his representitives for a number of weeks, and the stumbling block appears to be the signing on fee, with, according to the report, Hibs offering 50,000 "dollars", with the player asking for 200,000.
The Hibees also offering a 2-year-deal for the defensive midfielder.
21-year-old Guinea international Moussa Conte is attracting interest from a number of European clubs, with Hibs former UEFA Conference League foes FC Zurich being named a serious contendor.
There is also the small problem of the transfer fee, with his club, Tunisian side CS Sfaxien, said to be looking for $2m (about £1.5m).
Moussa Conte's representitive is quoted as saying:
"Hibernian's interest is real. The only sticking point remains the signing bonus, which does not yet meet our expectations. Scotland would be a great opportunity for Balla Moussa. We hope that the club will make an effort to upgrade its offer.
"We really hope that he will leave Sfax at the end of the season. Several interesting offers are on the table, but Sfax is asking for more than $2 million to release him. This demand is slowing down many negotiations that have been underway since last year. Hibernian is showing real interest, and we are trying to move things forward.
"Zurich FC is betting a lot on him. They see him as the potential successor to Cheick Oumar Condé. But the sum demanded cools the Swiss leaders. I have to go to Tunisia at the beginning of next week to meet the officials of CS Sfaxien. We hope to achieve something concrete."
Conte has already been capped twice at international level and has nearly 70 games under his belt.
HIBERNIAN-MAD VIEW
The Hibees seem to be quite far down the road with this one - if the report is true.
He seems to have a number of interested club's after him, with Hibs at the front fo the queue.
The finances of the deal seem to be on the high side, but with the club on the verge of qualification of group stage European Footballl, barring a miracle result in the Scottish Cup Final, and big money heading for the club coffers, it's one we may afford.
Let's see if it happens......
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