Premier League giants Newcastle United and Arsenal want Aaron Hickey from Bologna and former employers Hearts can look forward to a substantial windfall if the Scotland star seals a big-money move, director Joe Savage tells the Edinburgh News.
Heart of Midlothian certainly knew what they were doing when they inserted a sizeable sell-on clause – one believed to ‘exceed’ ten per cent – into Hickey’s contract.
Because, after just two seasons in Serie A, the Glasgow-born 19-year-old could be about to give those Tynecastle coffers a welcome boost.
Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Leicester and Manchester City are reportedly keen, with Fabrizio Romano believing Hickey could be on the move to the tune of a cool £20 million.
Arsenal’s interest in the former Celtic starlet is well-known, too, though The Times believe that Brentford are currently in pole position.
Should Hickey seal a £20 million transfer in the off-season, Hearts would be due a minimum of £2 million. A fitting reward for their role in the development of a player who started the 2019 Scottish Cup final at the age of just 17.
Arsenal want Aaron Hickey of Bologna
“There definitely is a sell-on (clause). There are a lot of rumours but we need to see if they will come true or not and whether Aaron is actually going to sign for another club,” explains Savage.
“We are delighted for him as a player and a person. He has been brilliant over in Italy so we’re pleased about that. We do have a sell-on, so we do get a percentage of any sale. It should be good for the club.
“Any club in the world developing and selling players, you have to protect yourself. You want a sell-on in the deal, you want some sort of add-ons in it or a buy-back option. Whatever it may be, you need to look after the interests of your own club.
“Hearts did that with Aaron.”
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A swashbuckling, all-action left-back who has understandably earned comparisons with fellow Scotland internationals Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney, Hickey has scored a highly-impressive five Serie A goals for bottom-half Bologna this season.
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