Copy Tomiyasu - paste Hickey

Last year's deal to sign Japanese defenderTakehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna proved a success for Arsenal, so why not do something similar again? This time, the Gunners have got their eyes on Aaron Hickey, their 19-year-old left-back.

This youngster made the slightly strange journey from Scotland to Italy, signing for just $1.9 million less than two years ago from boyhood club Hearts. Now, the Italian club stands to make a profit of around $20 million by selling Hickey to Arsenal, who have been following the youngster closely.

Wednesday, 22.00: (2.45) Eintr.Frankfurt (3.40) Rangers (3.05)

Sunday's match against Sassuolo may have been Aaron's final performance at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara in a Bologna shirt. The two-times capped Scotland international has been excellent for the team managed by Sinisa Mihajlovic this season, scoring five goals and impressing in a tactically demanding competition such as Serie A.

Bologna officials have already flown to London to arrange details regarding the transfer, and it looks like Hickey will join his compatriot Kieran Tierney and Nuno Tavares as Mikel Arteta's options at left-back.

Italian media estimated the price at around $25 million plus bonuses, which is an excellent deal for a player who could play at a high level for over a decade more. Napoli was one of the clubs who were interested, along with Milan.

But the Gunners have done enough to secure the signing of the youngster and get him a bit closer to his native Scotland.