The Jambos skipper is thought to have a host of clubs chasing his signature, with Fulham the latest to be mooted, and Laszlo believes he is capable of playing in the top league in Germany, England or Italy.

Laszlo said: "Christophe is a very talented player. He can play in the first Bundesliga, he can play also in England. Maybe also he can play in Italy.

"Tactically, he has learned very quickly from me. Italy is the country where tactics always come first.

"I think he can play in Italy from his knowledge at the moment, definitely."

Despite advertising his skipper's qualities, Laszlo reckons Hearts' recent dip in form may be due to transfer speculation affecting a number of his in-demand players.

After steering the Tynecastle outfit to third place in the SPL since his summer arrival, Laszlo has endured a difficult period in recent weeks, with his side without a goal in four matches.

While Europe remains a realistic target, Laszlo knows his charges must quickly erase from memory the worst performance of his tenure: Wednesday's 1-0 defeat at Motherwell.

The Hungarian feels the opening of this month's transfer window is not helping his side's cause, with a host of Hearts players being linked with moves away which would, in turn, lower the club's wage bill.

As well as Berra, winger Andrew Driver, defender Marius Zaliukas and midfield duo Bruno Aguiar and Laryea Kingston are among those being heavily tipped for pastures new.

Laszlo believes the talk may be going to players' heads and has warned his squad to stay focused ahead of Sunday's eagerly-awaited Homecoming Scottish Cup derby with Edinburgh rivals Hibernian.

He said: "I've told the players don't lose energy for things you can't change.

"We must concentrate on Sunday's game. "This is a problem in football sometimes, especially if you have the transfer window open. A lot of people talk too much.

"For young players especially, it's maybe the first or second time in his life he has the possibility to move. He can lose a lot of energy and concentration and not concentrate on his job.

"On Wednesday, you could see some players not in the dressing room, he was somewhere else, I don't know where. They can be affected definitely."