According to journalist Pete O’Rourke (via GiveMeSport), West Ham are eyeing a move for Bologna defender Aaron Hickey.
The Lowdown: Irons looking at left-back options
Aaron Cresswell is the first-choice left-back under David Moyes and rightly so; the defender was crucial in the Hammers’ fantastic start to the season, with his consistency an important reliance for the backline.
Unfortunately, his fine form crashed to a halt after he suffered a back injury against Manchester City at the end of November. The injury sidelined him until last week, when he made his return in the Irons’ 2-0 win over Norwich City.
However, Cresswell is now 32 years old and his contract is set to expire in the summer next year. With this in mind, West Ham have begun the search for a replacement, exacerbated by Moyes’ claim that Arthur Masuaku is not suited to playing left-back, despite being happy with his performances overall.
The Latest: West Ham eyeing Hickey
According to O’Rourke (via GiveMeSport), West Ham are keeping an eye on Hickey, with a deal possibly being done for the player in the summer.
The 19-year-old left-back joined Bologna in 2020, after leaving boyhood club Hearts and has enjoyed a breakthrough season in Italy this term. having featured in 19 Serie A league games in the current campaign. As a result of his impressive performances, West Ham are seemingly interested in the youngster.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke asserted: “I can’t see a deal happening this window, but it is maybe one that West Ham are keeping an eye on for the summer.”
The Verdict: Great choice for the Hammers
With Cresswell reaching the final 18 months of his contract and Masuaku’s incompatibility as a proper left-back, West Ham will need to bring in a long-term replacement during the summer window.
Hickey could be the solution to Moyes’ left-back worries. Having scored four goals in Serie A this season, the Scottish teenager is the second-highest scoring defender in Europe’s top five leagues. Consequently, the Bologna gem has drawn comparisons with a young Gareth Bale.
Thinking back to how the Welshman burst onto the scene as a left-back for Spurs in the early 2010s, it is hard to not get excited at the prospect of Hickey doing the same in a West Ham shirt, if the Irons can entice him back to the UK.
In other news: West Ham linked with January move for ‘assured’ Premier League defender who ‘dominates players’