Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Lazio and Celtic are among the clubs monitoring Aaron Hickey’s situation at Hearts.
The teenage left back is entering the final year of his contract at Tynecastle with the Gorgie club set to spend next season in the Championship.
The chance of them being saved by league reconstruction look remote and Hickey’s departure to bring in some much needed cash seems inevitable.
AC Milan and Crystal Palace also credited with an interest in Hickey, who announced his arrival with a Man of the Match performance at Hampden in last season’s Scottish Cup final.
He was a regular in the first team last season under both Craig Levein and Daniel Stendel, netting his first Hearts goal in dramatic fashion with a later winner against Hibs at Easter Road back in September.
But it’s likely to be his last in maroon given the interest in the Scotland Under 19 international.
Discussions over a new contract didn’t go anywhere and the Jambos are likely to cash in on Hickey rather than lose him for nothing in a year’s time.
And the Daily Mail report that the list of European giants keeping tabs on the defender has grown further.
A return to Celtic isn’t out of the question either. Hickey left Hearts for Celtic as a youth before returning, and the Scottish champions are thought to be keen on signing him once again.
And it could be in a relatively cut price deal, with an agreement in place that entitles Celtic to 30% of any transfer fee Hearts receive for Hickey.
For more Hearts news join our new group Hearts Live - News, transfer rumours and chat from Tynecastle
