Manchester United join race for long-term £40m Manchester City target

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Manchester United are now believed to be targeting Brentford ace Aaron Hickey with Aaron Wan-Bissaka wanted in Saudi Arabia.

The final few days of the January transfer window are upon us and it’s difficult to imagine much business materialising at Old Trafford.

United don’t have much wiggle room financially this month and biding time until the summer seems the most likely course of action – especially with Ineos now on board and assessing the United landscape.

There is interest in Aaron Wan-Bissaka though with Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr believed to be keen on a late deal.

United will be eyeing up right backs just in case Wan-Bissaka leaves now or in the summer, and one Premier League talent is now on the radar…

Manchester United keen on Aaron Hickey

Reporter Steve Bates has now told Give Me Sport that United are interested in signing Brentford defender Aaron Hickey.

It’s suggested that United have been scouting Hickey ahead of a potential move but a late January deal seems unlikely.

That is because Brentford are seeking a fee of around £40million, a price United surely won’t be paying this month.

Brentford paid £14million to sign Hickey in 2022 and the Bees are now seeking a fairly hefty profit on the Scotland international.

Hickey hasn’t played since October having suffered a significant hamstring injury, so United’s scouting missions have been halted for now.

United will be right on Hickey’s case again as soon as he returns and we could see him become a key summer transfer target.

United could land a long-term Manchester City target in Hickey

Hickey has been hailed as a ‘really excellent footballer’ by pundit Chris Sutton and has shown his quality at both left back and right back for the Bees.

That versatility may appeal to United and Hickey has been on the radar of bitter rivals Manchester City for a long time now.

Reports from the Daily Mail way back in 2019 suggested that City were keen to sign Hickey from Heart of Midlothian having spotted his potential in Scotland.

The Scottish Sun added in April 2023 that City were eyeing up a £30million summer move for Hickey, but that never materialised.

United could now swoop in to bring Hickey to Old Trafford, but this one won’t be happening in the coming days and United may need to focus on a summer move for the 21-year-old full back.