CRYSTAL PALACE will outbid Celtic in the £1.5million race for young Hearts left-back Aaron Hickey.
The Eagles are happy to buy the versatile 17-year-old, who can also play in central midfield, then loan him back to the Tynecastle club for the rest of the season.
Crystal Palace are hoping to beat Celtic to the signing of HickeyCredit: Rex Features
Celtic also fancy lifelong Hoops fan Hickey, who was released by the club as a kid.
But they are reluctant to go to the asking price.
They are entitled to 30 per cent of any profit Hearts make on him, though, so will benefit if Palace get their man.
Hickey is keen to play and may have to wait at Celtic while the Eagles’ offer lets him continue in the Hearts’ first team.
Palace want to make it a double Scotch by signing midfielder Scott Banks, 18, from Dundee United on a pre-contract.
The teen refuses to pen a new deal at Tannadice.
The Eagles fought valiantly to draw 2-2 with Manchester City at the Etihad on Saturday as their solid season continues.
Cenk Tosun had given Palace the lead in the first-half, but Sergio Aguero scored twice in the final ten minutes to give the hosts the lead.
But a last-gasp Fernandinho own goal meant Palace left with a shares of the spoils – and dent City’s title hopes further still.
Carlo Ancelotti comments on Cenk Tosun’s move to Crystal Palace
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
