Manchester City leading transfer race for £2m Hearts star Aaron Hickey
Posted Friday, October 18, 2019 by Dailystar.co.uk
The 17-year-old defender is attracting plenty of attention after emerging as one of Craig Levein's key men in the last five months
Manchester City are reportedly leading the chase for Hearts defender Aaron Hickey (Image: GETTY)
Manchester City are frontrunners in the race for Hearts defender Aaron Hickey’s signature.
The 17-year-old, who only made his Jambos debut back in May, has become an important member of boss Craig Levein’s backline.
He popped up with the late winner in their 2-1 derby victory away at Hibs last month, with his deflected long-range effort flying over goalkeeper Chris Maxwell in the 84th minute.
Now Hickey is attracting attention from a number of big clubs, yet Starsport understand City are leading the chase to sign him.
The 17-year-old defender has become a crucial member of the Jambos backline since making his debut in May (Image: GETTY)
Pep Guardiola is desperately short of cover in defence right now, recently deploying Fernandinho as a makeshift centre-back amid injuries to Aymeric Laporte and John Stones.
The City manager also failed to replace Vincent Kompany when his captain chose to rejoin Anderlecht in the summer.
Hickey has also been linked with Scottish rivals Rangers, with reports suggesting new Ibrox sporting director Ross Wilson will recommend making a move for the youngster.
Aymeric Laporte's long-term injury has left Pep Guardiola short in defence
Hearts are set to lock horns with league leaders Gers on Sunday, who currently sit two points clear of Celtic at the top, and Levein has laughed off suggestions their opponents will try and sign Hickey by joking that they will put an offer in for Alfredo Morelos.
"Who do we play at the weekend? We’re going to put an offer in for Morelos tomorrow. I’m taking that one with a lump of salt.”
Levein has admitted that contract talks with Hickey are ongoing, nevertheless, saying: “I’m still working on it. I want to just try to get it done with his dad and then I’ll talk about it.”
City are likely to splash the cash if Liverpool are still out in front at the top of the Premier League come January.
The champions’ shock 2-0 defeat at home to Wolves prior to the international break left their title rivals eight points clear in first place, with Jurgen Klopp’s men winning eight out of eight so far.
Next up for City is a trip to Crystal Palace in Saturday’s late kick-off.
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