Manchester City have offered to loan Hearts fullback Aaron Hickey back to the Jambos during talks for the teen.

The Daily Mail says City are bidding to seal a £1.5million transfer in January.

The English champions are keen to see off competition for the 17-year-old left-back from English Premier League rivals.

Two-footed Hickey impressed with his display in the Scottish Cup Final defeat to Celtic at the age of 16, just weeks after making his debut, and has since emerged as a key first team player.

A willingness to allow Hickey to return to Tynecastle until the summer is appealing to manager Craig Levein.