Both Aston Villa and Celtic have been dealt a transfer blow as highly-rated talent Aaron Hickey heads to Italy, according to a report.
The Scotsman have claimed that Bologna have won the race for his signature and he is now close to completing a move.
It is said that the 18-year-old defender is set to undergo a medical and finalise his move to Serie A, as Celtic are set to miss out on his services after letting him leave the club for Hearts in 2018.
The Scottish Sun did previously link Aston Villa and Bayern Munich’s name to the left-back, who was seemingly attracting some big names.
But the versatile player, who was described as an ‘extraordinary talent’ by his former manager Daniel Standel [Scottish Sun], will now look to make a name for himself in Italy’s top-flight.
Hickey would have been a useful addition to Celtic’s squad as they bid to push for a record-breaking and historic ten Premiership titles in a row.
Whilst in England, Villa have added another right-back to their ranks in Nottingham Forest’s Matty Cash, and a player like Hickey, would have just added to the talented players they are trying to bring through the Villa Park doors.
Matt Targett is Dean Smith’s number one left-back, with Neil Taylor as back-up, but Smith needs better competition in that area and someone like Hickey would have been an upgrade on Taylor, especially looking towards the long-term.
But Hickey will now be heading to Italy instead and it will be interesting to see how his career pans out from here because the likes of Villa and Celtic don’t want to regret not paying such a small sum, in footballing terms, for his talents if he goes on to succeed.
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