Arsenal enter €20-25m fee agreement for Serie A star player
According to an Italian report, Arsenal and Bologna have reached an agreement for the summer transfer of Aaron Hickey.
Arsenal and Napoli have both been linked with Bologna full-back Aaron Hickey in recent weeks, but according to CalcioNapoli24.it, the Gunners are ahead in the race.
Bologna sporting director Riccardo Bigon reportedly flew to London in the last few days to meet with Arsenal, reaching a fee agreement for Hickey's transfer worth €20-25 million.
Following the Takehiro Tomiyasu transfer, Arsenal's relationship with Bologna is strong, and they are now simply finalizing the details before concluding another deal with the club.
Kiss Kiss Radio Napoli first reported in early May that Napoli and Arsenal were in talks in signing Hickey.
Arsenal inquired about the player, and the Serie A club set a price tag of €20 million.
Football.
Arsenal are keeping an eye on Hickey ahead of the summer transfer window and are interested in signing the versatile full-back, according to London.
Hickey is primarily left-footed and a left-back, but he's one of the most ambidextrous players in the league right now and can play on the right as well.
Following those reports, Hickey responded to inquiries about the rumors.
"I see a lot of talk," Hickey observed. "Knowing that other clubs are interested gives you some confidence." But you keep your head down and concentrate on football."
Given Arsenal's injury problems at full-back this season, Hickey could be a wise investment. Kierney and Tomiyasu have both been sidelined for extended periods of time, which has hurt Arsenal on a few occasions.
Hickey, who is 19 years old, is another player Arsenal could potentially rely on in the long term.
Hickey has five goals and one assist in 47 games for Bologna, and his final game for the club could be next Sunday's Serie A trip to Genoa.
Mikel Arteta has struggled to fill the full-back positions consistently this season, with Tomiyasu out for months with a calf injury and Kierney recently undergoing knee surgery.
Nuno Tavares has failed to impress on the left wing, and Cedric Soares' future at the club has also been called into question following a string of poor performances.
The Portuguese is said to want to stay and fight for a place in the Gunners' starting XI, and he is expected to start against Newcastle United in the Premier League on Monday due to Arteta's defensive injury woes.
The teenager's rise has naturally sparked interest from clubs competing for European spots, and Arsenal, according to Calcio Napoli 24, are on the verge of winning the race for his signature.
According to the report, Bologna's sporting director Riccardo Bigon flew to London earlier this week to hold transfer talks, and a fee has now been agreed upon the transfer of Hickey.
The Gunners are reportedly willing to pay up to €25 million (£21 million) for Hickey's services, with only a few details to be worked out before the deal becomes official.
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