‘Top talent’ – Newcastle ‘interested’ in £20m-rated Scotland starlet

According to reports, Newcastle United are ‘interested’ in signing Scotland and Bologna youngster Aaron Hickey.

It was revealed earlier this month that Premier League clubs are ‘tracking’ Hickey. 

The 19-year-old made his debut in senior football with Hearts. He signed for Italian side Bologna in 2020 for around £1.5m.

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The left-back has played 38 times for Bologna in Serie A over the past two years.

During the latest international break, Hickey made his senior debut for Scotland as Steve Clarke’s side drew 1-1 against Poland.

After signing five new players in January, Newcastle are again expected to be busy in the transfer window this summer.

Fabrizio Romano has revealed via Twitter that the Magpies are ‘interested’ in the young defender.

Hickey is considered to be a ‘top talent’ and ‘other clubs are monitoring him closely. It is expected that he will cost Newcastle between £15-20m.

Elsewhere, Newcastle are at the front of the queue for Sven Botman ahead of a potential summer move from Lille, according to reports.

Botman was the Magpies number one defensive target in the winter transfer window but were unable to bring in the Netherlands under-21 international.

It was a busy transfer window for the Geordies, nonetheless. They signed five players in total, spending £85m, eventually getting a central defender through the door in Brighton’s Dan Burn.

But it now seems that Newcastle will attempt to sign Botman again ahead of the summer transfer window with Football Insider claiming the Geordies are still likely to beat AC Milan to his signing.

The website insists that the Magpies are ‘in pole position to sign’ Botman this summer ‘for around £30million this summer even though he has agreed personal terms with AC Milan’.

Botman is ‘still keen on signing for them and is eager to play in the Premier League’ and the Dutchman ‘remains a priority for Eddie Howe and the recruitment team as they look to recruit a top-class centre-back’.

The report insists that offering ‘a satisfactory contract will not be a problem for Newcastle’ with the wealth at their disposal this summer and they are ‘confident that Botman will accept their contract offer after verbally agreeing personal terms earlier this year’.

Newcastle believe they ‘can still win the race’ with Milan for the 22-year-old despite the Serie A side jumping the queue to agree personal terms.