Premier League champions Manchester City are keeping close tabs on Bologna youngster and Scottish whizkid Aaron Hickey.
According to Calciomercato, Manchester City have emerged as a potential suitor for Aaron Hickey. The Bologna full-back has become one of the hottest prospects in the Italian market following an excellent start to the season in Serie A.
Formerly of Heart of Midlothian, Hickey was a reported target for multiple clubs across Europe last year, including AC Milan, AS Monaco and Bayern Munich. The Bavarian giants were even willing to take him out on a tour of the Sabener Strasse training ground in Munich, but the youngster opted to join Bologna.
The young Scot wanted regular minutes at the highest level of football after an impressive 2019/20 campaign in the Premiership. And it appears his decision to join Bologna has paid off, with the player racking up 32 competitive appearances for his team.
A left-back by trade, Hickey initially endured a slow start to his career in Italy. He could only muster ten starts in his debut season in Serie A while a surgery further marred his progress. However, the youngster has come back strong, becoming a pivotal part of Bologna’s attacking play this season. He has made 19 appearances in Serie A already, scoring four goals, including the second in the recent 3-0 win over Sassuolo.
Hickey’s performances have not gone unnoticed, with Manchester City keeping close tabs on the player’s situation at Bologna. It is hardly surprising either, as the club requires reinforcements in the left-back department after Benjamin Mendy’s suspension and speculations surrounding the long-term future of Oleksandr Zinchenko. The Ukrainian was notably linked with a move to Genoa earlier this month.
The Citizens are reportedly in the market for Wolves’ in-demand Frenchman Rayan Ait-Nouri. But given the competition from Liverpool and Barcelona, Guardiola is scouring the market for alternatives, with Hickey emerging as a potential option.
The 19-year-old has already made solid strides in the Italian top-flight this season, impressing the onlookers with his attacking intent and the ability to offer width going forward. It makes him an excellent option for Manchester City, who love to stretch the opposition defences by utilising the wider areas of the pitch.
Therefore, it won’t be surprising to see Manchester City make a move for Hickey in the near future. The player himself could be keen on earning a move to the Premier League, as he looks to follow in the footsteps of his compatriots Kieran Tierney and Andrew Robertson.