ARSENAL and Liverpool are amongst SEVEN Premier League clubs to scout Hearts’ Aaron Hickey at the weekend – but Manchester City lead the race to sign him.
The Scottish club’s director’s box was full for their game against Rangers – with a host of Premier League giants keeping tabs on the full-back
Representatives from Newcastle, Arsenal, Liverpool, Southampton and Norwich joined Aston Villa and Crystal Palace at the game.
Weekend opponents Rangers are also said to be scouting Hickey, 17, along with Championship clubs QPR and Leeds.
But Man City are thought to be leading the race for his signature, with the defender destined for a mega-money move.
Pep Guardiola is in desperate need of support at left-back, with Benjamin Mendy in and out of the team through injury, relying on Oleksandr Zinchenko to lead the way.
Central midfielder Fabian Delph has also been deployed on the left side of defence in recent seasons to plug the gap.
Hearts star Hickey has made just 15 senior appearances after making his debut last May – including seven games in the Scottish Premiership this season, scoring once.
He became the youngest ever player to feature in a Scottish Cup final as he played 90 minutes in his side’s 2-1 defeat to Celtic at Hampden.
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Hickey is just the latest in the line of talented Scottish left-backs coming through the ranks – along with Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson and Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney.
The hot prospect’s current contract expires next summer – meaning clubs would be able to sign him on a free transfer in July.
However, Hearts are speaking with Hickey’s father and agent in a bid to tie him down to a new deal thought to be worth £1,000-a-week.