Newcastle United-linked Aaron Hickey opens up on his future after breakthrough Serie A campaign

Aaron Hickey has revealed that he may want a 'different experience', opening up the opportunity for Newcastle to sign the young full-back. Hickey is currently playing for Bologna in Serie A but has been mentioned as a potential target for Newcastle, who want to add quality at left-back.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the 19-year-old, who has five goals and an assist in Italy's top division said: "I might want to challenge myself somewhere else and have a different experience, but who knows the future. "I do see a lot of talk. It's nice to know there's interest from other clubs, it gives you some confidence. But you just keep your head down and focus on football.

"It's been really good here. As I said, who knows I might want to have a new challenge, but I probably wouldn't mind coming here every day to be honest."

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Hickey moved to Bologna from Hearts at the age of 17, after playing 22 times in the Scottish top flight. He has now featured 44 times in Serie A and is thought of as one of Scotland's big hopes for the future after playing so often in a top division at such a young age.

Were Newcastle to make a move for Hickey, it is unclear whether it would be in addition to making Matt Targett's loan permanent or as an alternative. Eddie Howe is expected to be given multiple upgrades to his first-team squad in the summer.