Newcastle are amongst a host of clubs weighing up a move for £20m-rated Bologna left-back Aaron Hickey, according to reports.
Hickey, 19, earned his first two senior caps for Scotland over the past week after emerging as a first-team regular for Bologna this season.
The young defender made the move to Italy in September 2020, waving goodbye to Hearts to ply his trade over in Serie A.
His first season was cut short by injury, but this term he has featured in 27 of Bologna's 29 league matches, racking up the highest number of minutes from a teenager in Europe's top five divisions.
As a result of his solid form in Italy, Hickey is already attracting attention from a number of top European sides ahead of the summer transfer window.
And according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle are one of the teams eyeing up a potential move.
Romano posted on Twitter: 'Newcastle are interested in signing Bologna fullback Aaron Hickey. Potential fee £15-20m not an issue, he’s considered a top talent - but other clubs monitoring closely'.
Newcastle have money to burn following their £300m Saudi takeover last October, meaning a rumoured £20m price-tag on Hickey would not deter them from making a move.
The Scotland teenager, who has registered four goals and an assist for Bologna this season, was also on Celtic and Bayern Munich's radar before joining the Serie A outfit.
AC Milan are also believed to be interested in signing him as backup for current left-back Theo Hernandez.
At Newcastle, Hickey would likely serve as an understudy for Matt Targett, who only moved to St James' Park from Aston Villa back in January.
Hickey still has over two years remaining on his current deal at Bologna, whom he snubbed Bayern to join back in 2020 due to the family feel at the club.
He was brought off the bench in Scotland's friendlies against Poland and Austria over the past week, raising his stock even higher amid reported interest from elsewhere.