Hearts of Oak’s Corporate Affairs manager Joe Addo has dismissed reports the club has opened negotiations towards signing players even before a substantive coach is appointed.

The Phobians who are still in a hunt for a new coach have been linked with several players this off-season.

Hearts even signed Latif Salifu on a three-year contract only for the move to eventually fall through over some technicalities.

But the club’s Corporate Affairs manager Joe Addo insists no talks have been held over signing players until a new coach is appointed.

“We have not had negotiations with any player and that will be the case until the new coach comes in,”

“It is the new coach that will decide which player he wants and which player he doesn’t want.

“So all the stories you are hearing is not from management.

“Until we have a new coach, we will not be holding discussions over signing players.”

Hearts have meanwhile shortlisted five applicants for their vacant coaching job including Aristica Cioaba, Zdravko Lugarucic, Eddie Ansah and Ernst Middendorp.