---
title: "Celtic: Hoops set to open talks with Aaron Hickey"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-hoops-set-to-open-talks-with-aaron-hickey/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Sean Clifford"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2021-07-05T08:15:52Z"
modified: "2021-07-05T08:15:52Z"
---

# Celtic: Hoops set to open talks with Aaron Hickey

**Celtic are closing in on a deal for Bologna left-back Aaron Hickey after they submitted a formal approach for his services, as reported by [The Scottish Sun](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/7354527/celtic-3-5-million-aaron-hickey-bologna-transfer/).**

### The Lowdown: Celtic prepare for 2021/22 in earnest

Moving into 2021/22, Hoops supporters will be eager to see how newly-appointed manager Ange Postecoglou goes about re-shaping a team in need of surgery in order to win the Premiership next season.

Making inroads in the transfer market, the Glaswegians have tied up deals for former Sheffield Wednesday pair [Osaze Urhoghide](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/osaze-urhoghide-attributes-you-cant-24452777) and [Liam Shaw](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/6694613/celtic-liam-shaw-heartbroken-sheffield-wednesday-fans/).

Parkhead chiefs could now be braced for a third signing in quick succession following recent reports.

\[freshpress-poll id=”364602″\]

### The Latest: Celtic set to open talks with Hickey this week

Celtic are set to open talks with Hickey in the next week following the initiation of a £3.5m bid for the 19-year-old \[[The Scottish Sun](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/7354527/celtic-3-5-million-aaron-hickey-bologna-transfer/)\].

His current employers are rumoured to be interested in a swoop for now free agent [Aleksandar Kolarov](https://sempreinter.com/2021/06/27/bologna-keen-on-signing-inters-aleksandar-kolarov-on-a-free-transfer-italian-media-report/), paving the way for the Serie A outfit to cash in on either Hickey or Dutch full-back Mitchell Dijks \[[The Scottish Sun](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/7354527/celtic-3-5-million-aaron-hickey-bologna-transfer/)\].

Intriguingly, the former Hearts defender is a [boyhood Celtic fan](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/5693093/hearts-celtic-hickey-scarf-ibrox/) who also spent his footballing upbringing in the [Bhoys’ academy](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/5693093/hearts-celtic-hickey-scarf-ibrox/). Might this prove pivotal in negotiations?

\[freshpress-quiz id=”363792″\]

### The Verdict: Hickey would be an excellent asset for Celtic

Upon reflection, Hickey would be an excellent asset for Celtic should he complete a move back to his homeland.

He endured a frustrating 2020/21 campaign in Italy, making just 12 appearances in all competitions due to injury issues and suffering from a viral infection \[[Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aaron-hickey/leistungsdaten/spieler/591949/plus/0?saison=2020)\].

Nevertheless, his eagerness to progress the ball and awareness of surroundings is commendable. Across the pitch, he recorded an impressive 88.4% passing accuracy which, would suit Postecoglou’s high-intensity possession-based style of football \[[WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/402367/Show/Aaron-Hickey)\].

He also drew high praise from his former coach Austin MacPhee, who in January 2020 gushed: “He’s so young he could play a lot of positions. He could end up being like Busquets.” \[[The Scottish Sun](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/5159992/hearts-aaron-hickey-evans-busquets-macphee/)\]

Needing to play regular football at a critical point in his development, Hickey and Celtic may be perfectly suited should negotiations reach a successful conclusion.

**In other news, [this Celtic midfielder](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-transfer-rumours/celtic-ryan-christie-wanted-by-crystal-palace/) has been linked with a Premier League move.**