Ghanaian giants Hearts of Oak could lose their dependable striker Joseph Esso as the talented player is close to joining a top Slovakian side, Ghanasoccernet.com can exclusively report.

The 23-year-old poacher has been targeted by the Europeans following the exploits of the attacker in the Ghana Premier League and his performance for the Black Stars B.

Esso has been hugely instrumental in the impressive performance for the Phobians this term which has led to some clubs in Europe seeking to sign him.

His British agent John Viola has confirmed that he has held talks with an undisclosed club over signing the striker of the Accra-based side.

“It is indeed true that two top clubs in Slovakia have expressed in signing my client Thomas Esso and we are at the early stage of talks,” Viola told Ghanasoccernet.com on Monday night.

“We are working towards getting something good for the player where he can play regular football and develop his talent.”

His departure will be a big blow to Hearts who are keen on keeping all their top players to help them win the title this season with their arch rivals Kotoko floundering.

If they manage to reach an agreement Esso is unlikely to leave immediately as the transfer window in Europe is shut but could move before the start of next term which is in June.

Esso has been superb for both Hearts and the Black Stars B in the season under review.

His performance for both club and country has aroused a lot of interest from rival clubs and teams outside the country.

The striker emerged on the radar of clubs from Serbia and France as well as Sudanese giants Al Hilal before the league started in Ghana.

The player has been outstanding for the Phobians since joining them from Ebusua Dwarfs and was particularly lauded for his performance with the club last season.

His exploits earned him a call-up to the Black Stars B team where he represented Ghana at the WAFU tournament hosted in Senegal last year.

He managed to score two goals and helped Maxwell Konadu’s team to finish second at the end of the tourney.

Esso is currently one of the highly-rated forwards in the Ghanaian top-flight league and the European football path will help him improve his career.