West Ham keen on highly rated teenage left-back with BIG future

REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, ITALY - DECEMBER 22: Aaron Hickey of Bologna FC celebrates after scoring his team second goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and Bologna FC at Mapei Stadium - Citta' del Tricolore on December 22, 2021 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, ITALY - DECEMBER 22: Aaron Hickey of Bologna FC celebrates after scoring his team second goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and Bologna FC at Mapei Stadium - Citta' del Tricolore on December 22, 2021 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

West Ham want 19-year-old left-back Aaron Hickey according to reliable source,  @ExWHUemployee.

The teenager is currently a regular for mid-table Italian club Bologna and is highly rated by many as he was nominated for the prestigious Golden Boy award last year.

Hickey is Scottish and could provide competition and a long-term alternative to Aaron Cresswell, who is so vital to the way West Ham play.

West Ham are interested in talented teenage left-back Aaron Hickey.

RENATO DALL’ARA STADIUM, BOLOGNA, ITALY – 2021/10/03: Aaron Hickey of Bologna FC celebrates after scoring the goal of 3-0 during the Serie A football match between Bologna FC and SS Lazio. Bologna won 3-0 over Lazio. (Photo by Andrea Staccioli/Insidefoto/LightRocket via Getty Images)
RENATO DALL’ARA STADIUM, BOLOGNA, ITALY – 2021/10/03: Aaron Hickey of Bologna FC celebrates after scoring the goal of 3-0 during the Serie A football match between Bologna FC and SS Lazio. Bologna won 3-0 over Lazio. (Photo by Andrea Staccioli/Insidefoto/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Despite being young and relatively inexperienced, there is no doubt Hickey would be able to make the step up to Premier League football.

Coming through the academy of Scottish club Hearts, he became the youngest player to ever start a Scottish Cup final in 2019.

This, along with a number of solid performances, led to him attracting attention from the likes of Aston Villa, Lyon and European giants Bayern Munich before making the switch to Bologna for a rumoured £1.5 million in order to play regular first-team football. This attitude and desire is something David Moyes wants in his players.

He now plays alongside former West Ham favourite Marko Arnautovic and has been in fine form for Bologna.

Hickey has featured in 19 matches scoring four goals. His speed and ability to run with the ball is key to his play. Also, he is solid defensively with a high percentage of tackles won this season in Serie A.

However, his crossing is his weakness, which is an important attribute to have to fit into Moyes’ tactical set-up. But, at just 19 years old, there is plenty of time for improvement for a player who shows so much promise.

West Ham already have long-term right back options in Ben Johnson and Harrison Ashby, but at left-back there is only Emmanuel Longelo, who was very impressive in his debut versus Dinamo Zagreb in December.

A move for Hickey is more likely than the signing of Lucas Digne will join West Ham due to wage demands and other clubs like Chelsea, Aston Villa and Newcastle keen.

Hopefully, David Moyes can use his Scottish links to help convince Hickey to join as he would be a shrewd signing for now and the long-term with Cresswell now aged 33.