Report: Manchester City Set Sights on Brentford’s Aaron Hickey
Manchester City are planning a refresh throughout the squad this summer, with Pep Guardiola weighing up his options.
It could be a summer of seeing Manchester City favourites move on, with players like Ilkay Gundogan and Joao Cancelo looking likely to be playing their football elsewhere next season.
Pep Guardiola and Txiki Bergiristain will have set out exactly who they will be looking to replace these players, with reports saying they are looking for “new and modern” defenders.
One player who fits that bill is Brentford‘s Aaron Hickey, who has been a vital part of Thomas Frank‘s side since making his £14 million move to West London from Bologna FC in 2022.
Aaron Hickey during his spell in Italy with Bologna
The Scottish international has started 18 times for the Bees and has impressed with his ability to play at either left or right back with no issues.
The 20-year-old spent some time recovering from an ankle injury either side of the mid-season break for the World Cup but has come back into the fold, including being part of the Scottish national side’s victory against Spain in the recent European Qualifiers at Hampden Park.
Brentford will want to keep hold of Hickey, whose contract runs until 2026, according to Transfermarkt but could be tempted if a big enough offer was to come in for the defender.
Aaron Hickey in action for Brentford vs Aston Villa
Guardiola has faced a few issues at left-back over recent seasons, with current “Undroppable” Nathan Ake being played out of his natural position of centre-back.
It’s a position that has seen a host of players, including Cancelo, Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker and Oleksandr Zinchenko, being used in an inverted role, one that Guardiola mentions some players are unable to play.
The reigning Premier League champions have previously been rumoured to be interested in Antonee Robinson but look to have been put off by Fulham putting a £30 million valuation on the American fullback.
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