Arsenal are set to make a move for Bologna defender Aaron Hickey after missing out on several midfield targets.
The Gunners are now nearing a £21.75m deal for the full-back to become the club’s first summer signing, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport.
Hickey. who is still only 19 but already a first-team player in Serie A, will arrive to provide competition for Kieran Tierney
The Heart of Midlothian graduate signed for the Italian side last season and has made 47 league appearances - becoming a fan favourite in Northern Italy.
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The Gunners came up just short in their top-four bid, slipping up in the penultimate game of the season to lose their grip on a Champions League spot.
There was still plenty of positives to take from the campaign, and the addition of Hickey signals thought for the future.
"I might want to challenge myself somewhere else and have a different experience, but who knows the future," Hickey told Sky Sports.
"I do see a lot of talk. It's nice to know there's interest from other clubs, it gives you some confidence. But you just keep your head down and focus on football."
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He added: "It's been really good here. As I said, who knows I might want to have a new challenge, but I probably wouldn't mind coming here every day to be honest."
Brentford, Newcastle, AC Milan and rivals Tottenham are competing with Arsenal for Hickey, but it looks as if the Gunners will get the deal over the line.
Chris Stonadge