Serie A side Bologna have given Celtic target Aaron Hickey a Monday deadline to make a decision on his future, The Sunday Post has reported this weekend.
The paper say the Italians are willing to pay the £1.5m asking price to Hearts for the left-back, who has visited their training centre.
With Bayern Munich also in the hunt, Hickey has a big call to make.
Celtic appear to have been heavily interested in the teenager over the last year.
Former Hearts manager Craig Levein told BBC Scotland earlier this month that the Scottish champions have tried to buy him five or six times without success.
Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio also reported last week that Celtic have made a ‘great offer’ for the player this summer.
The Sunday Post report that Hickey has his eye on a move across the continent but clearly nothing can be ruled out while he’s yet to make his choice.
Celtic need a left-back option more than ever after the antics of Boli Bolingoli but whether or not Hickey is ready to come in and compete immediately for a first-team spot is another matter.
The teenager only turned 18 in June and has yet to show real consistency in the Scottish Premiership.
Bologna are said to be willing to make him an understudy to regular Mitchell Dijks, while Bayern favour installing them into their third-tier development side.
It’s unlikely Celtic would be able to promise him regular week-to-week football given what is at stake this season.
However, if he’s willing to come into the club and be a long-term project, a move along the M8 could be perfect.
In other news, Celtic defender Andrew Gutman has been winning rave reviews for his performances in MLS.
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