Claudio Braga says he remains fully committed to Hearts despite growing speculation linking him with a move to French side Lyon.
The Portuguese striker, who was named Scottish Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year after an outstanding campaign, has reportedly attracted interest from the Ligue 1 club following a season in which he scored 17 goals and helped Hearts mount an unexpected title challenge.
Reports have suggested Lyon are considering an offer worth around £8.6 million, a deal that would represent one of the biggest transfer fees in Hearts’ history. However, Braga insists his attention remains firmly on the season ahead at Tynecastle.
Speaking to Portuguese publication A Bola, the 26-year-old said: “I have two years left on my contract and I really like where I am. Anything regarding interest is handled by my agents. I stay out of it.”
Braga joined Hearts last summer for a fee reported to be around £400,000 after spells in Norwegian football with Moss FK and Aalesunds FK. His impact in Edinburgh was immediate, becoming a key figure in the club’s attack and earning widespread praise for his performances throughout the campaign.
Hearts are preparing for a UEFA Champions League second qualifying round tie against Sturm Graz, and Braga says the opportunity to compete in Europe’s premier club competition is one he has dreamed about.
“I’m about to fulfil one of my biggest dreams,” he said. “Just knowing it’s possible to play in the Champions League is incredible, even if it’s only a qualifier.
“We’re facing a very strong team in Sturm Graz, but at Tynecastle we’re very strong as well. We proved that last season.
“We’ve lost some players, but we’re strengthening the squad. At home, anything can happen. Away from home we’ll give everything. Above all, we want to enjoy the opportunity and try to take this club into the league phase.”
Despite Hearts’ impressive domestic campaign, their hopes of a historic league title ended on the final day of the season.
Braga admitted the disappointment still lingers after coming so close to delivering the club’s first top-flight championship in decades.
“Almost everything about the season was perfect,” he said. “Every time we lost or drew, we responded by winning the next match.
“But after coming so close to lifting the trophy and then seeing everything change at the end, it was heartbreaking. The season stopped feeling historic because we missed the most important part.”
The forward also explained why he began the decisive final-day fixture on the substitutes’ bench.
“It was partly because of my fitness and partly tactical,” Braga said. “I’d been carrying some pain and the manager felt another striker would be better to start before bringing me on later.
“It was the biggest game of my life and, of course, I wanted to play from the start. But I respected the manager’s decision.”
Following the final whistle, Hearts players left the stadium quickly after supporters entered the pitch. The squad returned to Tynecastle, where thousands of fans gathered to welcome them home despite the disappointment.
“We went straight to the dressing room, then onto the bus,” Braga recalled. “When we arrived back at Tynecastle, thousands of people were waiting for us.
“That’s when it really hit us. We all started crying because we felt we’d let people down, even though nobody expected us to get that close.
“Seeing so many supporters smiling, singing and welcoming us back like that gave me goosebumps. It wasn’t the ending we wanted, but we made a lot of people proud.”
While speculation over Braga’s future is likely to continue during the transfer window, the striker’s focus remains on helping Hearts build on last season’s success as they prepare for another campaign in domestic and European competition.