Serie A side Bologna want to sign Hearts kid Aaron Hickey.
The Italians are the latest big club to register an interest in the £1.5million-rated full back. MailSport can reveal that Premier League side Aston Villa are now also in the race for Hickey, alongside the likes of Bayern Munich.
But Bologna lead the race and are expected to contact the Tynecastle hierarchy this week.
Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side are currently 12th in Serie A as it heads to a conclusion.
MailSport understands that Bologna are keen for Hickey to be part of their first-team squad immediately, which makes the move appealing to the 18-year-old.
After racking up 33 games for Hearts already, he’s not interested in moving to a club where he won’t play games.
Robbie Neilson is desperate to keep him in maroon but with Hearts now playing in the Championship it’s likely that his future lies elsewhere.
