Arsenal are reportedly set to initiate talks with Bologna over the deal to sign Aaron Hickey this summer.
A recent report from Corriere Dello Sport has offered an update on the future of Aaron Hickey. It appears the Scotsman could be set for a move away from Bologna this summer, with Arsenal prepared to begin talks with the Italian club over his potential arrival at the end of the season.
Bologna appear to be open to offloading Hickey in the summer transfer window. But they are set to hold out for a figure of around €20 million and are overall hoping to generate €30 million from the sale of him and Mattias Svanberg, who remains a top target for Tottenham and West Ham.
Arsenal’s pursuit of Hickey is hardly surprising as Mikel Arteta has lacked a proper alternative for Kieran Tierney at left-back this season. The Gunners had brought in Nuno Tavares from Portugal last summer, but the youngster has struggled with consistency, often failing to live up to the expectations.
It has prompted Arsenal to go after a new left-back as Arteta looks to shore up his options in the position. The club are also in the market for a new right-back to offer competition for Takehiro Tomiyasu and Cedric Suares, with Nahuel Molina emerging as a potential target.
As for the left-back, Arsenal are targeting a move for Aaron Hickey. A product of the Hearts youth academy, the young Scot has enjoyed unprecedented success since joining Bologna in the summer of 2020.
In 46 competitive outings, he has racked up five goals, becoming a lynchpin in the Bologna backline in the process. He has impressed the onlookers with his attacking qualities and the ability to provide width going forward. He is an exceptional crosser of the ball as well, making him an ideal fit for Arsenal.
At Emirates, the 19-year-old can prove to be an ideal backup for his fellow countryman Tierney at left-back. His attacking traits could combine well with Tierney’s defensive output, thus adding more balance to Arsenal’s team depth and giving Arteta the opportunity to become more flexible with his shape next season.
Although a fee of €20 million is barely a pinch for a club like Arsenal, the Gunners must be swift in their approach to sign the Scot, who remains a top target for Italian giants Napoli as well.
