Man City have potentially been dealt a transfer blow by Thomas Frank, who says Brentford will not be selling full-back Aaron Hickey this summer.
Earlier this week, it was claimed that City could make a move for the Scotland international.
It was suggested that he is an alternative target to Antonee Robinson of Fulham.
Hickey is younger than the American, and can also operate comfortably on both sides of the pitch.
Pep Guardiola is apparently keen to address the full-back areas this summer.
In recent times he has not really been using natural full-backs, instead deploying a back three with John Stones moving into midfield when the team has the ball.
Joao Cancelo appears not to have a future at the Etihad Stadium given the nature of his loan exit in January.
There has been some speculation about Kyle Walker leaving. He is not getting any younger, and will only have one year left on his contract in the summer. Since he hasn’t been playing regularly lately, he might seek to leave.
There have also been doubts about Sergio Gomez’s potential to be a long-term option for City.
So Hickey is a player reportedly on their shortlist. It had been suggested he would cost around £30 million
But Bees manager Frank now says the club will not be offloading him in the summer.
Directly addressing the City rumours, he said (as quoted by The Herald): “We will not sell him. He’s not even been here a year.
“With all due respect, I think he’s a very good young player that I think has a fantastic future ahead of him.
“There needs to be a little bit more to get into the City team in terms of performances.”
Man City may be wasting their time trying to sign Aaron Hickey, as Thomas Frank reacts to transfer speculation
This is quite a defiant reaction from Frank to the rumours about City wanting to sign Hickey.
Clearly Brentford have no intention of selling him this summer. Every player has a price, and the Bees will demand a fortune for him, as they are entitled to given he only signed last summer.
Hickey would be nice to have at City. He is a very promising young player.
But City might be wasting their time with this one.
Also if Cancelo and Walker both depart this summer, that’d be two experienced players gone. Surely the focus should be on signing someone older and more proven than Hickey.
