Rangers could use Bologna’s reported interest in midfielder Connor Barron to their advantage in their pursuit of potential statement signing Lewis Ferguson.
The Serie A giants wanted Barron in 2024, however unlike Ferguson, he made the move to Rangers from Aberdeen instead. The Light Blues have now entered exploratory talks with Bologna for their captain, who they’ve reportedly set an eight figure price tag on.
Even with the financial backing of Andrew Cavenagh and the 49ers Enterprise, it would be a big ask for new Gers boss Derek McInnes to sign his former understudy at Pittodrie for the fee alone. However, with Bologna’s interest in Barron, a potential swap deal with add ons could become a possibility.
Belgian Rangers midfielder Nico Raskin has attracted interest from Hull City, Atalanta and Real Betis as he continues to perform at the World Cup. If he were to leave in the summer, the cash Rangers would receive would also help facilitate a Ferguson deal.
Gers hold trump card for ‘tricky’ deal
According to the Daily Record: “New manager Derek McInnes was a fan of Barron as he came through the ranks at Aberdeen. The Light Blues, however, are keen to try and land Ferguson from Bologna. They have made an enquiry and know it would be a tricky deal to land. Bologna value their captain in the eight-figure category. They also have strong interest from rivals Roma and Atalanta.”
Rangers have concluded some early business already during the summer transfer window, having enlisted Lawrence Shankland, Ross McCrorie, Ben Godfrey, Ivor Pandur and Dan Neil. As McInnes continues to look for a Scottish core with experienced campaigners and leaders in his side, Ferguson is a player who fits the bill. Furthermore, the 26-year old literally has the club in his blood, as his father Derek and uncle Barry both enjoyed successful careers at Ibrox.
Rangers new boy on potential Ferguson reunion
Another player who worked with McInnes and Ferguson at Pittodrie is McCrorie, who completed his Ibrox return from Bristol City last week. In his first press conference, he was apprehensive to discuss a potential reunion with his old pal Ferguson, but claimed he is enjoying working with the manager again after five years. He said: “I need to be respectful to Bologna. He’s (Ferguson) a Bologna player, he’s their captain. I’m really good friends with him, but that’s not for me to answer.
“The big thing for me coming back here was the gaffer. I had a good few offers back in England but as soon as the gaffer got the job here, I knew he was the man to take the club forward. He was the one who gave me the belief to step up and leave Rangers (in 2021). To be honest, I wanted to leave in the first place. I was being selfish at the time, I wanted to go and better myself as a player.
“I wanted to be the main man somewhere, get games under my belt and unlock the talent I knew I had. The gaffer came to my house in East Kilbride at the time and persuaded me to go up to Aberdeen. I had a great three years up there. He took me under his wing. I was obviously a young boy at the time and I’m a lot different now to what I was back then. Five or six years on, I’m back here with him again.”