Aaron Hickey's Hearts connections could prove key in deciding whether the full-back stays at Bologna or leaves Italy.
The teenager has impressed since his 2020 move from Tynecastle to Serie A and he's now been linked with a move back to the UK.
Steven Gerrard 's Aston Villa are one club said to be keen on the talent who was handed his Jambos debut at 16 by Craig Levein.
Part of Levein's backroom team could hold the key to tempting Hickey away from Italy - Austin MacPhee.
Gerrard is already aware of the teen from his time as Rangers boss but MacPhee knows him personally. The Scotland coach is Aston Villa 's set-piece specialist and was Hearts assistant while Hickey featured in Gorgie.
It's led to Gerrard's coaching staff taking note of Hickey, with Aston Villa also said to be interested in Argentine left-back Nicolas Tagliafico, according to Birmingham Live.
But the former Hearts star is the favourite to arrive at the Villans and Bologna will demand a fee of around £15 million for one of their prize assets.
He has played all 19 league matches under Sinisa Mihajlovic this season and has netted four times.
Celtic were previously rumoured to want Hickey while clubs across Europe have been linked with the left-back since his Hearts breakthrough in 2019.
