Aston Villa are already looking at a summer move for Bologna left-back Aaron Hickey, according to Ashley Preece.
The Lowdown: Late bid for Hickey
Villa got their January business completed relatively early, with Calum Chambers the last of four senior additions to join Steven Gerrard last month.
[freshpress-poll id=”387069″]
There were no deadline day twists at Bodymoor Heath when it comes to incomings, although there were rumours that Villa launched a €10m (£8.35m) bid for Hickey which included a 20% sell-on clause. Bologna turned down that proposal, but it seems as if Villa will go back in for the Scottish teenager at the end of the season.
The Latest: Preece’s claim
Preece ran a Q&A on Birmingham Live in the final hours of the transfer window and he was quizzed about the club’s left-back ranks following Matt Targett’s loan move to Newcastle, revealing that Villa are already ‘looking’ at a move for Hickey.
The journalist outlined: “It’ll be Digne and Young from now until May with no recall option in Targett’s deal. Villa looking to go back in for Hickey in the summer.”
[freshpress-quiz id=”375426″]
The Verdict: Shrewd move
Hickey, who has been likened to Gareth Bale, is known for his athleticism and pace and appears to be a future star. He has also been linked with Manchester City, so securing his services ahead of Pep Guardiola’s side could be a major coup for Villa.
Since leaving Hearts for Bologna, the 19-year-old’s Transfermarkt valuation has rocketed from £540,000 to £11.7m, and he has also played as a left midfielder in 2021/22, earning vital experience in Serie A on top of his previous outings in the Scottish Premiership.
On that basis, securing a summer move for him and midfield target Yves Bissouma could be a brilliant decision by Villa in the long run, possibly making Hickey the perfect eventual successor to Lucas Digne in years to come.
In other news: Villa may now sign ‘unbelievably talented’ midfielder in cut-price move despite transfer window shutting
