Manchester City could reportedly make a move for Brentford defender Aaron Hickey this summer.
The Sun reported this morning that City officials are looking to address the full-back positions in the next transfer window.
Hickey started his career as a left-back for Hearts, but the 20-year-old can also play right-back, which is where he has spent most of his these season for Brentford.
Hickey joined Brentford last summer from Italian club Bologna. He has made 20 appearances for the Bees so far this term and has impressed for Thomas Frank’s side.
He’s caught City’s attention, with the club looking at potential alternatives to Antonee Robinson.
The Fulham star is of interest, but it’s thought he could have quite a high asking price
Hickey could cost around £30 million, and the fact he can play on either side is seemingly a big part of his appeal.
Of course, City have had a player like that in Joao Cancelo.
The Portuguese defender left the club on loan in January to join Bayern Munich, amid reports he had not reacted well to his lack of game time at the time.
Both Cancelo and Pep Guardiola have always publicly denied there had been a falling out.
But the feeling is that Cancelo’s time at City may be over, and that he will be moved on in the summer.
It remains to be seen if Hickey is someone the club make a move for. He’s got a contract until 2026, so it’s possible they could demand much more than £30 million.
Aaron Hickey looks a brilliant talent and Man City are right to be keeping tabs
City are right to be looking at full-backs heading into the summer.
Guardiola has rolled out an unorthodox system in recent months that has seen the likes of Nathan Ake and John Stones operate in wide areas.
It has been hugely successful.
But City are going to need actual full-backs for next season just so the option is there.
Cancelo doesn’t look to have a future at the club given everything that has been written. Kyle Walker will only have a year left on his contract in the summer and he might actually fancy a new challenge elsewhere. The England international has today been linked with a move to AC Milan.
Sergio Gomez hasn’t seen a great deal of football in his first season at City, and hasn’t full convinced.
So a move for Hickey could be smart. Especially since he can operate comfortably on either side of the defence.
Breaking The Lines said of him in a feature last year: “Often, aggression and tenacity isn’t matched by a calmness on the ball but Hickey’s game is extremely well-rounded for a player just shy of 20.
The £30,000-a-week youngster is surely a name to listen out for for City fans.
