Board Member of Hearts of Oak, Frank Nwokolo Nelson has given the clearest indication that his outfit will not break the bank to sign striker Richard Zuma.
The Emmanuel FC goal poacher has been in the news since hitting a brace for the Phobians against Ebusua Dwarfs during the GHALCA G-8 competition in Cape Coast last month.
It was reported that Zumah will be joining the former Premier League champions in a bumper deal following his exploits in the tournament but the Phobians are reluctant to meet his price tag.
But astute football administrator speaking to Happy FM on Monday, he disclosed that their desire to acquire the services of the player but will not pay money that will eat deep into their account.
"So far it's not been positive but we are still talking to his people and when something positive comes up, I will let our supporters know," Nelson declared.
"But again I want to reassure Hearts of Oak supporters that pre-season goals are not what we use to determine how a player will fare in the league. Yes, a player will have a good pre-season or in a game but that does not mean you're the best but we will try our best to have him in our team because our supporters have seen the product and we think we should go ahead with the deal but if it doesn't come the way we want its business.
"We need look at the finances and what we need to invest in that business because we have to be sure in what you invest and the profit you can reap from it."
"If we feel it'll be difficult for us to reap from it then I don't think it will be a good business, so we'll pursue it as a business opportunity and if we believe it will give us profit, definitely we will approach it," he added.
"Look at what Osei Pele did for us in the Gala sometime ago, but what happened in the league campaign? So two goals in a match do not give you that conviction that it is all done.
"Like I was saying, if it is possible for us to sign this player, we will do but this does not mean we need to break the bank for any reason that is not profitable for us," Nelson deduced.
Hearts of Oak will kick off their 2017/18 campaign by playing Premier League debutants, Techiman Eleven Wonders in Techiman.