Celtic look set to move on from this summer’s pursuit of former Academy player Aaron Hickey if the report in the Italian media today is correct, that Bolonga are looking for €8million for the left-back. The Italian media source Il Resto del Carlino (page 68) reports that Bolonga have no intention of selling Hickey this summer.
The Italian side reportedly have a bid for half that sum on the table from Celtic amid speculation – and that is all that it is – that the likes of Fiorentina and Roma are interested in the former Hearts defender.
A factor in where Hickey is playing his football next season could well rest with the boy himself. If he wants to remain in Italy to develop his career there then that should end any current Celtic interest and allow Ange Postecoglou to consider alternatives like Josh Doig at Hibs.
Bolonga beat Celtic to the signing if Hickey last summer with a £1.5m bid that Hearts accepted after rejecting numerous bids from Celtic. However as Celtic had a high sell-on fee percentage in that deal, much of the funds ended up at Celtic Park, small consolation though it is.
Hickey has stated that he didn’t think the time was right to go back to Celtic – the club he supports – this time last year but his recent comments suggest that he’s more interested this time around. Have Bolonga developed Hickey’s game to the extent that he could command this type of transfer fee? Who knows but it would be reckless for Celtic to consider this inflated asking price. Take it or leave it time approaches on this one, no messing around.
In the financial climate in the game caused by the global pandemic there will be an abundance of players available and plenty of high quality bargain buys or even players out of contract. In this climate, paying €8million for Aaron Hickey would be crazy.
🍀 | Celtic FC – The Rebuild (LB)
With Celtic being quoted £6.8M for Hickey by Bologna it's time to move on from him.
Fredrik Björkan of Bodø-Glimt is out of contract in six months & available for around £350K.
Norway international & one of the best players in the Eliteserien. pic.twitter.com/CvqNkWkseR
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) July 6, 2021
