Lewis Ferguson(Image: Getty Images)Bologna are reportedly bracing themselves for renewed transfer interest in Lewis Ferguson next summer – but have also identified a potential replacement for their skipper if he was to move on.
The Scotland star played an integral part in the I Rossoblu team that secured a top five finish in Serie A last season but suffered a serious knee injury towards the end of the campaign that robbed him of going to the Euros with his country.
But slowly and surely, the former Hamilton Accies and Aberdeen midfielder has got himself back to peak fitness and has reclaimed his starting berth in the heart of the Bologna midfield under Vincenzo Italiano, who replaced Thiago Motta last summer following the latter’s decision to join Juventus.
Bologna’s red-hot form on the domestic front means that Ferguson and his teammates are gearing up for another exciting finish to the campaign.
Six Serie A wins in their last seven matches have propelled Italiano’s side up to fourth in the league standings, with the prospect of Champions League football for a second season running a genuine possibility.
And in addition, Bologna are one step closer to ending their 51-year-long wait for a major trophy.
Empoli are all that stands between them in a place in the Coppa Italia final where they will face the winner of the Derby della Madonnina clash between AC Milan and Inter Milan.
Ferguson’s exploits in Italy since his arrival in the summer of 2022 have not gone unnoticed, with several of Serie A’s top sides – including both Milan giants – credited with an interest in the 25-year-old.
Milan director Zlatan Ibrahimovic is said to be a big admirer of the player, who only extended his contract with I Rossoblu to 2028 back in November.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic(Image: AC Milan via Getty Images)And with clubs in the Premier League also reportedly keen, Bologna may have to entertain some transfer offers at the end of the season.
But La Gazzetta dello Sport (via 1000 Cuori Rossoblu) claim that the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara side are working on a contingency plan in the event that they cash in on Ferguson, who is said to be valued at €25million (£21million).
They report that Bologna have identified Monza captain Mateo Pessina as a potential replacement for the Scotland star.
Italy international Pessina was previously at Atalanta under Bologna’s current director of football Giovanni Sartori and is seen as the ideal canditate to try and fill Ferguson’s boots.
Pessina could be available on a cut price deal next summer, with Monza staring at relegation to Serie B.
Alessandro Nesta’s team currently find themselves 10 points adrift of safety with just nine games remaining.