Crystal Palace are monitoring developments with Hearts left back Aaron Hickey but have yet to make a bid.

The promising 17-year old is out of contract at the end of next season but could provide the struggling Scottish Premiership club a financial lifeline if they can agree a fee with suitors now.

Hearts have asked staff to take a 50percent wage cut after coronavirus forced football into lockdown and hit the club’s finances hard.

Crystal Palace are planning a move for promising 17-year-old Hearts left back Ryan Hickey

Manchester City, Everton, Southampton and Celtic have also watched Hickey, who has made 30 appearances this season, but Palace are understood to be best placed at this stage.

It is believed Hickey is one of the less-affected players affected by Hearts chief Anne Budge stringent wage cuts due to the fact that he's still on a low-salary contract.

The transfer fee they will potentially receive for Hickey is, however, sure to be a huge benefit to the cash-strapped club.

The highly-rated left back made his professional debut at the age of 16 in May 2019 and soon after started in the Scottish Cup Final, a 2-1 defeat to Celtic.