Manchester United reportedly keen on Bologna teenager Aaron Hickey

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Manchester United are reportedly chasing Scottish teenager Aaron Hickey.

90Min claim that United are among the clubs who are keeping tabs on the Bologna defender.

Here is a look at what you need to know about the potential summer transfer target…

• Hickey spent time with both Hearts and Celtic as a young player, but made the grade at the former, making his senior debut in May 2019.
• In September 2020, Hickey moved from Hearts to Bologna for a fee the BBC reported to be around £1.5 million.
• He was nominated for the 2021 Golden Boy award, which was eventually won by Barcelona starlet Pedri.
• He is a full-back who plays predominantly on the left but is capable of operation on either side, who has made 26 Serie A appearances this season, scoring four times and laying on an assist.
• He was recently rewarded for that form with his first senior Scotland call-up, for the forthcoming friendly with Poland.

What they say

Walter Sabatini was responsible for bringing Hickey to Bologna when he was sporting director at the club two years and said as per the Sun: “If you asked me to predict the next major star, I would say Aaron Hickey at Bologna. For me, he will be the next European Golden Boy.

“I’m not just saying that to take the credit for myself, but it’s clear he is going to be a fantastic player. He has all the attributes. It’s not a surprise he has been linked with big clubs.”

Hickey has also garnered praise from Hearts man Austin MacPhee, as reported by The Scottish Sun.

“He’s so young he could play a lot of positions. He could end up being like Busquets,” he said. “Right now he reminds me of Jonny Evans, who I’ve seen in training with Northern Ireland. It’s the way he defends, moves and always wants the ball as a defender.

“Jonny spent some of his career at left-back, centre-back and defensive midfield. It will be interesting to see where Aaron ends up but he’s a young player I would hang my hat on. He’s tall enough to play at centre-back too.”

As per BBC, Hickey has also been compared with Scotland captain Andy Robertson, but said: “I have a bit to go before getting near what he’s done. I will be pleased if I get anywhere near that – he is a really good player.”

The verdict

Luke Shaw’s form this season means that United would be wise to keep tabs on an upgrade and Hickey is a flying, attacking full-back in the right mould.

With Alex Telles also here and Brandon Williams set to come back too, United would need to clear the decks somewhat to give Hickey the right amount of gametime.

But he makes sense as the kind of player United should be targeting and someone who could be at the club for the next ten years.

Of course, Shaw acts as a lesson in terms of a teenage star who has not had a linear route to success despite early promise and Hickey is still a young man with plenty to prove.