Hearts transfer agreement for Mendy nears completion
Heart of Midlothian have finally sealed a hearts transfer agreement mendy deal with Forest Green Rovers for captain Laurent Mendy. The 29-year-old French-born midfielder is set to become Hearts' 10th summer signing, with personal terms talks under way after a January bid was rejected.
Key Takeaways
- Hearts have agreed a deal to sign Forest Green Rovers captain Laurent Mendy after targeting him across two windows.
- Edinburgh News reported a £500,000 fee with add-ons; Robbie Savage said the package could approach £1 million and be a club record for Forest Green.
- Mendy is expected to travel to Edinburgh for a medical; the move is agreed between clubs but not yet fully completed.
- He would be Hearts' 10th summer signing and unavailable for the Champions League second-leg return against Sturm Graz.
- Savage branded the switch life-changing and "unbelievable" for both club and player.
According to BBC Sport, Hearts struck the agreement for the National League captain after pursuing him for the past two transfer windows. A bid was turned down in January before the clubs finally reached terms this summer.
Mendy joined Forest Green from Macclesfield in 2025 and made 47 appearances last season. Talks on his personal contract are now progressing as Hearts prepared for European qualifying action.
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Why does the Hearts deal for Mendy matter now?
The move matters because it ends a long Tynecastle chase and lifts a National League captain into the Scottish Premiership. Hearts had kept him on their wanted list across successive windows, underlining how highly they rate the defensive midfielder.
For Forest Green, manager Robbie Savage framed the exit as proof that strong performances at The New Lawn can open doors at a higher level. He also insisted the club was not forced to sell, saying owner Dale Vince had backed keeping Mendy if needed.
How much could Forest Green's record fee rise to?
Edinburgh News reported that a fee of £500,000 has been agreed between the clubs, with add-ons attached. Savage said that if every performance-related target is met, the total could creep close to seven figures — roughly a million pounds — which he called remarkable for Forest Green.
He stressed the package would be a club-record fee received if completed, while cautioning that paperwork and a medical still had to be finished. "It's not done yet," he said after a 2-2 pre-season draw with Bristol Rovers.
When could Laurent Mendy complete his move to Tynecastle?
Mendy is expected to travel to Edinburgh to finalise the switch, including a medical, before Scottish Premiership business begins against Aberdeen on 1 August. Personal terms with Hearts remain the next step after the clubs' agreement.
He would not be available for the second leg of Hearts' Champions League second-round qualifier against Sturm Graz, a tie in which the Edinburgh side trailed 4-0 after the first meeting. The BBC noted the first leg was scheduled for Tuesday at 19:30 BST as personal talks continued.
What has Robbie Savage said about the transfer?
Savage described the opportunity as one that can "change his life" for Mendy and called the situation "unbelievable" for both the player and Forest Green. He argued ambitious lower-league footballers should take note: perform well, and a Premiership move can follow.
He also said the departure creates a chance for other midfielders to step up, praising displays from squad players in pre-season. Savage added that Forest Green were closing on further arrivals of their own, underlining a longer-term plan to develop assets and raise their value.