Manchester City have reportedly added Brentford's Aaron Hickey to their list of full-back targets for the summer window.
The Scotland international burst onto the scene with Serie A side Bologna after leaving Hearts in 2020, apparently earning admiration from Arsenal with his performances in Italy.
Hickey came up with five goals and an assist in 48 games for Bologna, but Arsenal's move for Oleksandr Zinchenko paved the way for Brentford to welcome Hickey back to the British Isles.
The 20-year-old is yet to directly contribute to a goal for the Bees and was sidelined was a serious ankle injury between October and January, but he quickly earned the trust of Thomas Frank and has made 20 appearances in his debut campaign.
Hickey has started 18 Premier League games for the European-chasing Bees, who occupy 10th spot in the top-flight table amid a dampening six-game winless run.
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Despite Brentford's recent spate of failures, The Sun claims that Hickey has caught the eye of Man City chiefs, who are now considering a summer swoop for the Scotland international.
Pep Guardiola has supposedly identified Hickey as an ideal signing for a new generation of full-backs at the Etihad, and Brentford are aware of the champions' interest.
Frank's side are under no real pressure to sell, as Hickey's contract does not expire until the summer of 2026, but a fee of £30m could twist Brentford's arm.
While predominantly featuring on the right-hand side for Brentford this season, Hickey is just as capable as a left-back, the position he originally started in at Hearts.
Man City surprisingly allowed Joao Cancelo to join Bayern Munich on loan in January, and the Portuguese's long-term future is clouded in uncertainty amid interest from Barcelona.
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John Stones has since become the Citizens' first-choice right-back in an inverted role, with Guardiola suggesting that Kyle Walker is not capable of fitting into his current system.
Meanwhile, out-and-out left-back Sergio Gomez has played a bit-part role in his first season at the Etihad, with Nathan Ake largely holding the fort on that side in the current campaign.
Guardiola's side are expected to bolster their options on that flank over the summer, with Arsenal's Kieran Tierney and Fulham's Antonee Robinson also tipped to move to the Etihad.
However, Newcastle United are now said to be confident of winning the race for Tierney, who has been demoted to second choice at Arsenal since Zinchenko's exit from Man City.
Guardiola's men can cut the gap to Arsenal down to three points with two games in hand should they come out on top in Wednesday's blockbuster top-of-the-table battle.
Ben Knapton
