Hibs have slapped a £1 million pound price tag on Elias Melkersen after the striker left to join Sparta Rotterdam on loan with an option to buy.
The Eredivisie side swooped for the 20-year-old who has failed to score a single league goal in his year in Leith.
But they’ll have to stump up big time if the Norwegian proves a hit across the North Sea.
Melkersen was one of Shaun Maloney’s first signings as Hibs boss last January, arriving from Bodo/Glimt on a four-and-a-half year deal.
But in 29 games, the majority off the bench, he has scored just three times in cup games against Motherwell and Clyde.
Now Hibs have allowed the Norway U20 cap to head out on loan to Sparta who currently sit sixth in the Eredivisie.
And they want to treble the money they paid Bodo/Glimt a year ago.
Boss Lee Johnson said: “Elias is a player that has all the attributes to be a top number nine.
“Given the return of Kevin Nisbet, we believe now is the time for Elias to get regular starts to implement all the hard work he’s put into training.
“In Sparta Rotterdam, he has a club and therefore a vehicle to get regular starts to showcase his talents.”
Johnson wants to add two new faces to his squad this month having began to streamline his bloated squad.
Melkersen will be the fifth player to leave following Nohan Kenneh’s loan switch to Ross County, Kevin Dubrowski’s loan move to Queen of the South and the departures of Steven Bradley for Livingston, Jack Brydon to QoS and Joao Balde to Arbroath.
Johnson still expects to have Ryan Porteous in his squad for Sunday’s Scottish Cup derby clash with Hearts with Blackburn preparing a bid for the defender who is also wanted by Udinese and Toulouse.
The Easter Road boss said at the weekend: "In terms of new signings, we are trying, I can’t guarantee anything but there’s been a few outs which creates some funds.
"We are certainly active and I’m very clear in my mind as to what I would like defensively and offensively.
“I’m happy with the potential options but we have to try and get them over the line and it’s never easy because good players are in high demand.”
