Premier League giants Man Utd and Man City have both sent scouts to watch Brentford full-back Aaron Hickey, according to reports.
Hickey has enjoyed a fine debut season having joined the Bees for around £15million from Serie A outfit Bologna last summer.
There was plenty of interest in the Scottish youngster prior to his move to West London, with Arsenal among those who were vying for his signature.
The 20-year-old has played 21 times in the Premier League this season. He missed a large chunk of the campaign between October and January due to an ankle injury.
His fine performances and quick adaptation to Our League has clearly not gone unnoticed, with Man Utd and City both reportedly interested.
According to Football Insider, both Manchester clubs have been ‘scouting’ Hickey and are ‘interested in signing’ him this summer.
However, Brentford boss Thomas Frank insists Hickey will not be sold this summer.
Frank also said the Scottish international is not at the level required to play for City yet, but does believe he will get there one day.
“We will not sell him. He’s not even been here a year,” the Bees head coach said.
“With all due respect, I think he’s a very good young player that I think has a fantastic future ahead of him.
“There needs to be a little bit more to get into the City team in terms of performances.
“I think he’s done well and I really like him. I think he can get up there.
“Aaron has taken some good steps in the right direction.
“He is progressing very well. He has a lot of things to improve.
“We are pleased with his first season, but there’s much more to come from him.”
Hickey is a very versatile defender who can be used as a right-back, left-back or wing-back on either flank.
Should he join City, he is likely to be used as an inverted full-back, however, which would be very interesting to see.
For Man Utd, on the other hand, Hickey would likely be utilised as a natural full-back.
The Red Devils are prioritising a new striker this summer and Erik ten Hag is believed to be very keen on signing Tottenham’s Harry Kane.
A new right-back would not go amiss, however, despite the stellar performances of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot.
Wan-Bissaka has been linked with a summer exit for quite some time now. Initially, he was expected to leave due to the lack of minutes, though he has shown this season he can be a starter in the Premier League.
Given the chance to impress under Ten Hag, the former Crystal Palace defender has come on leaps and bounds offensively and remains a very strong one-on-one defender.
Palace are one of those reportedly interested in signing Wan-Bissaka, while West Ham and Wolves are also said to be keen. Could Brentford join the race if Hickey leaves?
