Arsenal are “interested” in signing Bologna fullback Aaron Hickey, according to Football.London‘s Gunners correspondent Chris Wheatley.
The journalist, who is usually pretty reliable, claims that the Scottish international is being targeted as Arsenal look to strengthen their options at both left-back and right-back:
Arsenal monitoring Bologna left back Aaron Hickey ahead of summer transfer window 🏴#AFC in the market for a versatile left sided defender with Tierney & Tomiyasu both struggling with injuries this season.https://t.co/UrjAYpAsJd
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) May 3, 2022
Hickey is two-footed and, while he does usually play on the left-hand side of defence, Bologna head coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has also deployed him on the right flank occasionally.
The 19-year-old would, therefore, compete with the likes of Takehiro Tomiyasu and fellow countryman Kieran Tierney for a place in the starting eleven.
Bologna signed Hickey from Hearts just under two years ago, and he has become an important first-team player. With that being the case, the Serie A side are expected to hold out for a fee in the region of €20m (£16.8m).
With the Gunners having dealt with Bologna before, after signing Tomiyasu from them last summer, it could help in negotiations, but we shall see how this transfer story develops.