Ghana Premier League giants Hearts of Oak are stepping up their pursuit of former Vision FC centre-back Ali Mohammed, but face stiff competition from Aduana FC for the defender's signature.

The highly-rated centre-back is currently a free agent after seeing out his contract with Vision FC, and his availability has sparked serious interest from multiple clubs.

Hearts of Oak, looking to rebuild under new head coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, have prioritised defensive reinforcements and view Ali as a perfect fit for their backline.

Club sources reveal that Hearts have already opened negotiations with the player's camp, hoping to finalise a deal before the team intensifies its pre-season preparations.