Arsenal are set to reignite their interest in fullback Aaron Hickey, according to The Mirror.
The English tabloid claims that the Gunners, along with Manchester United and Liverpool, are “ready to make bids” for the 21-year-old.
However, Hickey’s club, Brentford are reluctant to let the defender go in the same transfer window as Ivan Toney. Both could be the subject of offers in January, with Mikel Arteta’s side said to be interested in the England striker as well.
It means Hickey’s asking price may be pretty steep, with The Mirror reporting that the Bees could demand as much as £50m for the Scotland international.
With Bayern Munich also believed to be fans of the player, competition is fierce, so Brentford may feel justified in standing firm on their sky-high valuation.
Hickey has been on Arsenal’s radar for quite some time
The fullback was first linked with a move to the Emirates in May last year when he was still playing for Bologna in Italy. Brentford subsequently signed the player a couple of months later for £18m.
With Hickey having performed well since making his Premier League debut, it is not a surprise that the Gunners have kept an eye on his progress.
A potential replacement for Kieran Tierney?
Although Hickey has played nearly all of his games for Brentford as a right-back, that is not a position that Arsenal need to strengthen, with Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jurrien Timber and Cedric all capable of playing there.
There is a more pressing need for a left-back, with Kieran Tierney having departed on a loan spell to Real Sociedad. With Hickey being equally strong on both feet, it is logical to assume that he is being targeted as a replacement for his fellow countryman.
