CELTIC are considering launching a new bid for Aaron Hickey following reports their initial £3.5million offer has been booted out by Bologna.
The Hoops have made their move for the former Hearts left-back, but, according to Italian media, the Serie A outfit were not interested in doing business at that price for the 19-year-old defender who only joined the club last September and is under contract until June 2024.
Hickey is also a target for Fiorentina, but Bologna boss Sinisa Mihajlovic and the club hierarchy are holding out for an improved submission for the versatile back-four operator who can also play on the right.
ON THE MOVE…Aaron Hickey in action for Bologna.
Ange Postecoglou may persuade the Parkhead powerbrokers to add to the original offer, but there is no way they will go as high as the reported asking price of £8million for the ex-Hearts starlet who is a former youth team player at the Hoops.
Hickey, a boyhood Celtic fan, would be eager to move to Glasgow, but the club will refuse to pay over the odds for the teenager. However, they could come back with a new, boosted bid over the weekend, according to the Scottish Sun.
Postecoglou is short of defensive cover on the right flank following the January exits of Jeremie Frimpong, to Bayer Leverkusen, and Hatem Abd Elhamed, to Hapoel Be’er Sheva. Anthony Ralston remains an option after the Scotland Under-21 star had the remaining year of his contract activated last month.
