Arsenal transfer boost as Aaron Hickey decision made by Bologna

Arsenal have been boosted in their reported pursuit of Aaron Hickey with Bologna accepting the defender can be sold this summer.

The Gunners have been credited with interest in Hickey, who has been likened to Kieran Tierney having made a breakthrough at left wing-back for the Scotland national team.

Glasgow-born Hickey, who started his career at Celtic, swapped Hearts for northern Italy two years ago, and has established himself as a regular in Serie A despite being just 20 years old.

A Premier League move has since been mooted, with Arsenal one of a number of linked club, and Bologna sporting director Marco di Vaio accepts the club could cash in on Hickey.

He said: "It could be, he is one of those we could sacrifice, but if we don’t receive adequate offers, he’ll likely stay for another year.

"We have a good potential to do well and earn more than 50 points. We must be good at financing new signings and finding new players. If we make the right moves, we'll be able to replace them and keep all the others."

Mikel Arteta is understood to be looking at versatile players, with Manchester City's Oleksander Zinchenko of interest, and Hickey can also play both in defence and midfield

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