Sir Alex Ferguson Manchester United, ManU Fc Manager Liverpool V Manchester United Anfield, Liverpool , England 16 December 2007 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: Allstar/RichardxSelle 12885284
Bologna midfielder Lewis Ferguson is attracting serious interest from Rangers, with former Ibrox winger Jamie Murphy insisting this summer is the decisive moment for a potential move.
Ferguson, 26, came through at Aberdeen under current Rangers manager Derek McInnes, giving the club a significant advantage in any potential pursuit of the Scotland international.
The Light Blues have made SPFL-experienced players a clear transfer priority this summer, a strategy that has already delivered Lawrence Shankland from Hearts.
Ferguson fits that profile precisely, having developed under McInnes at Aberdeen before departing for Bologna in 2022.
After helping Bologna win the Coppa Italia last season, Ferguson found regular game time increasingly difficult to secure during the most recent campaign.
Reports from Italy had suggested a contract extension was close, but talks appear to have stalled following the departure of manager Vincenzo Italiano, who left to join Besiktas and was replaced by Domenico Tedesco.
Ferguson has strong family ties to Rangers, with both his father Derek and brother Barry having represented the club, making a move to Ibrox a long-discussed possibility.
Murphy, speaking on The Go Radio Football Show, said: “I think he [Derek McInnes] is the perfect manager for him, if it is to be the case.”
Murphy added: “I know the Lewis Ferguson thing has been flying around for a couple of years now, but if it’s ever going to get done it’s going to be this summer.”
Ferguson is currently representing Scotland at the World Cup, adding further visibility to a transfer situation that has been building momentum throughout the window.
Landing the midfielder permanently would likely require Rangers to break their longstanding transfer record, which has stood at £12 million since Tore Andre Flo joined from Chelsea in 2000.
Keith Jackson, speaking on Hotline Live, noted that Ferguson had attracted significant attention from clubs including Juventus before his cruciate ligament injury reduced his market value.
Jackson said: “Lewis Ferguson, they were getting mega offers. His value has come down because he’s not getting a game.”
He added: “The absolute best price you could get, and you’d be doing really well, would be £12m,” suggesting the club’s American owners face a record-breaking investment to secure the deal.
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