The current Aaron Hickey transfer state of play as summer Celtic target kicks on

By David Walton

January 2, 2022

Back in the summer, it’s fair to say the link between Aaron Hickey and Celtic was pretty constant.

At times it seemed as though the Bologna man was heading to Glasgow before things died down days later. Indeed, the young left-back whom Celtic now infamously let go as a boy is now making a big name for himself in Serie A.

It was reported in Italy over the summer months that Hickey’s club valued him at £6.8m [Il Resto del Carlino, print edition, 06/07, page 68]. This looked like being the final straw, especially given Hickey’s progress had stalled due to an injury-ridden first year with Bologna.

Now, however, the picture couldn’t be any different. The Daily Record has reported that AC Milan are interested should Theo Hernandez leave the club this month. Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa are also said to be weighing up a potential move, along with Chelsea.

Why the sudden upturn in interested suitors? Well the truth is that Hicky has had a barnstorming second half of the year in Italy.

He’s just 1 appearance away from playing 20 times this term. He’s come up against the likes of Inter Milan, AC, and Juventus respectively [Transfermarkt]. The only match he’s missed this season being the Coppa Italia first-round defeat to Ternana.

Aaron Hickey to Celtic heavily unlikely as youngster kicks on

The reason Hickey to Celtic looked feasible in the summer was simply down to the fact he looked as though he needed a change of scenery. It wasn’t working out for him in one of Europe’s most demanding leagues and, therefore, looked a possible option for Ange Postecoglou.

But now he’s thriving. And whilst that’s great news for the former Hearts star himself, it’s not great for any potential aspirations Celtic had of putting a sensational deal off this January.

Bologna’s valuation of the player will only have increased, whilst Hickey himself is in no rush to leave. In an interview with the Guardian back in November, Hickey stated he wanted to move to the EPL “or similar” after his time with Bologna came to an end.

So that shows you where Hickey’s head is at. Celtic may be an option one day in the future given his boyhood allegiances, but it’s likely not for some time yet. He’s eyeing the biggest clubs in the biggest leagues in Europe once his Bologna days are over. You certainly get the Andrew Robertson vibes with this one.

And the truth is there’s simply no reason as to why Bologna would even want to sell their exciting young talent. He’s finally over his injury concerns and is impressing some of the biggest names on the continent. Goodness knows what he’ll go for in the future, but it won’t be anywhere near the £6.8m mooted in the summer. We’re well beyond that.

All the best to Aaron wherever he decides to end up going next. But it almost certainly won’t be Celtic Park. Not at this rate.

In other news, Spurs supporters make their stance clear on permanent Carter-Vickers to Celtic prospect