Tam McManus reckons Hibs need SEVEN summer signings - and that Lee Johnson should start with Kevin van Veen.
The Motherwell striker has already netted 25 goals this season and that form has landed him a PFA Scotland Player of the Year nomination and a spot in the Premiership Team of the Year. The Dutchman's incredible touch against Kilmarnock left pundit McManus purring, branding it 'as good as anything' he has seen in Scottish football.
Johnson could land European football and that would also play into the cards of the capital club alongside stepping up to a bigger club and the chance to essentially treble his wages, according to the former Hibs man.
READ MORE: Hibs 2-1 St Mirren as Lee Johnson's men edge closer to Europe - 3 things we learned
Sign up to Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
Van Veen has one year to run on his Motherwell deal and if the Fir Park side decide to cash in, the Daily Record columnist reckons his old club should at least be asking the question as he calls on the Leith side to add the striker alongside six other faces and the permanent capture of Will Fish after securing Elie Youan already in a busy summer of transfer activity.
He wrote in his piece: "Brian McDermott has promised to cast the net wide to find stars for Hibs. But the new director of football doesn’t need to look too far for one of the top priorities this summer.
"In terms of signings I reckon Hibs need seven - and it should start with a man named Kevin with a touch from heaven. It’s Van Veen, of course.
"The budget Bergkamp would guarantee you value and should Kevin Nisbet leave as expected, then his namesake would be a replacement that you could hang your hat on.
"His goals record of 25 already this season - which included a double at Easter Road last month - is astonishing but his quality means Van Veen’s more than just a goalscorer.
"That touch against Kilmarnock that sent two defenders for a Killie Pie and teed him up to net for the 10th time in seven games on Saturday was as good as anything I’ve seen in Scottish football for a long time.
"A move to Leith would make sense for the Dutchman too as it would be a move to a bigger club where he could more or less treble his salary and hopefully a chance to play in European football.
"I reckon Well will try and sell Van Veen in the summer so Hibs should at least be asking the question.
"As I said I reckon Hibs need seven new faces in. And that’s on top of sealing permanent deals for loan stars Elie Youan and Will Fish."
READ NEXT:
- Brian McDermott lands Hibs director of football role as Ben Kensell explains decision
- Hibs 'confident' over Elie Youan transfer with 'six-figure' option in St Gallen loan agreement
- Hibs 'set to rival' Aberdeen for Jay Idzes signing as Lee Johnson's men plan scouting mission
- Nohan Kenneh on Hibs future and 'massive' Ross County loan spell after extended run of games
