Aston Villa and Celtic have been linked with Aaron Hickey, but Brentford have now moved in to open talks with Bologna over a deal for the defender.
Hickey has been linked with big Premier League transfers ever since breaking into the Hearts side back in 2019.
It also seems like you can’t get through a transfer window without Hickey being linked with a return to Celtic.
Hickey spent four years in the Celtic youth ranks before heading back to first club Hearts in 2018.
Hicky joined Bologna in 2020, making a bold move to Italy. This season, the 19-year-old has been in superb form, bagging four goals in 20 Serie A games.
The 19-year-old is unsurprisingly being linked with a return to the UK, with Aston Villa and Celtic believed to be the main contenders.
The Sun reported in October that Villa and Celtic were going to head-to-head for Hickey, with both keen to bolster their full back options.
The Daily Record claim that Hickey will cost a huge £15million, meaning he would likely be out of Celtic’s range anyway.
Now though, it sounds like both clubs could miss out after Brentford made their move to land the young Scot.
West London Sport claim that Brentford have opened negotiations to sign Hickey from Bologna.
Brentford also want free agent playmaker Christian Eriksen, seemingly eyeing two adventurous signings as they seek to stay in the Premier League.
Hickey’s ability to play on either flank is very appealing, but Brentford see him on the left side as competition for Rico Henry.
It looks like Brentford are now favourites to secure Hickey, leaving Villa and Celtic in something of a race against time if they really do want him.
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