Hibs boss Nick Montgomery has hinted that the club will look to land Danish attacking midfielder Emiliano Marcondes on a permanent deal next summer, but they won't break the bank to pay him.
The 29-year-old joined up with the Hibees on a six-month loan deal from Bournemouth at the end of January, and has quickly became a fan's favourite in Leith with two goals in his first 11 appearances. Marcondes was one of two players to arrive at Easter Road from the English Premier League club in the mid-season window, along with Guyana international Nathan Moriah-Welsh who penned a two-and-a-half year deal in the capital for an undisclosed fee.
It came shortly after Bournemouth's owner and American businessman Bill Foley's of Black Knight Sports completed a deal to become minority shareholders at Hibs, acquiring 25% of the club with a £6million investment. Former Sheffield United midfielder Montgomery admits he would love to keep playmaker Marcondes at the club beyond the summer and has revealed that he is planning to hold discussions with the relevant parties at the end of the season.
Speaking to the Edinburgh Evening News, he said: “Look, that’s going to be down to Emi, as well. There’s no doubt we’d like to have a conversation with Emi. But that will be at the end of the season.“For me, it’s about Emi enjoying himself at the club. He obviously likes the city, I get on really well with him, as do the coaching staff and the players. Emi’s not a kid. He’s at a good age in his career and I’m sure, come the end of the season, we’ll have those conversations.
“Emi coming to Hibs will have to fit within the budget that we have. Nothing changes on that. But definitely we’d like to have those conversations with Emi at the end of the season, as we will over all the recruitment we’re looking to do in the off-season.”