Rangers have opened initial talks with Bologna over a potential deal for Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson, marking a major summer move for the Ibrox club. Newly appointed manager Derek McInnes faces a steep valuation of £15.5 million as he plots a comprehensive midfield overhaul ahead of crucial European qualifiers.
Tracking the Transfer Talks for Lewis Ferguson
Senior figures at Ibrox have made their first major move of the summer window by opening initial discussions with Italian outfit Bologna. The news, broken by Chris Jack via Rangers Review, as relayed by @LetsTalkGers on X, confirms that the Glasgow club now know exactly what it will take in terms of a transfer fee and wages to land the 26-year-old midfielder. However, securing his signature will require significant financial muscle, and it won’t be cheap.
When the player left Aberdeen for Serie A back in 2022, he cost the Italians roughly £3 million. A stellar development curve in Italy means Transfermarkt now pegs his market value at a hefty £15.5 million. Whether Rangers can actually match that kind of financial backing remains an open question as the board works to balance the books.
Midfield Evolution Under Derek McInnes
Derek McInnes, who penned a three-year contract at Ibrox this June, desperately needs to inject tactical discipline into a central midfield that looked entirely too fragile last term. The newly appointed manager needs ready-made leaders for crucial European qualifiers in August.
The profile of the Scotland international fits that requirement. He played 27 times in Serie A during the 2025/26 campaign, starting 17 matches and coming off the bench in another 10. Do not expect the free-scoring lung-bursts from his early Pittodrie days, though, as his game has evolved away toward positional awareness and ball retention under heavy pressure with a solitary league goal last season. He clocked 1,596 league minutes last year, racking up a brilliant 92.6% passing accuracy alongside an aerial dominance that saw him win 93% of his duels in the air.
Navigating a Crowded Ibrox Midfield
While pursuing external targets like Ferguson, Rangers must also manage an already bloated central midfield contingent. Three of the club’s seven summer signings – and none of their 11 departures – are central midfielders, even though the squad already contained six players on books before factoring in three returning from loan.
Several existing players occupy different roles or face uncertain futures. Attacking midfielders Thelo Aasgaard, who has just been to the World Cup with Norway, and Nedim Bajrami, who has failed to become a regular starter in his two years at Ibrox, do not directly compete for defensive duties. Likewise, Jose Cifuentes, Lyall Cameron, and 20-year-old Paul Nsio have returned from Toronto, Aberdeen, and Raith Rovers respectively without having suggested they are ready to make the step up.
Departures and Defensive Midfield Additions
Uncertainty surrounding current squad members continues to drive recruitment. Ivory Coast international Mohamed Diomande saw his form dip in his second full season at Ibrox as more of a box-to-box man, while Nicolas Raskin has looked more effective pushing forward for Rangers despite preferring to play just in front of the defence. It was in that latter role that the Belgium international received rave reviews at the World Cup, making it ever more likely that Rangers will look to cash in this summer on a player who has expressed his desire to move to a top-five league.
Given Raskin’s anticipated exit, it was no surprise McInnes would look to snap up Devlin given the Australian was a key player in their title challenge together with Hearts – especially as he was available for free. However, Rangers have also added two more defensive midfielders: Dan Neil, who was out of contract with Sunderland, and Vanja Dragojevic, purchased from Partizan, where he was captain at the age of just 20. Scotland cap Connor Barron must have been relishing the arrival of his former Aberdeen manager as he seeks more regular starts, while Tochi Chukwuani is still bedding in after his January arrival from Sturm Graz. Meanwhile, Rangers continue to be linked with a current Sturm Graz defensive midfielder, Ryan Fosso, while at least Jens Hjerto-Dahl, for whom Rangers have reportedly had bids rejected by Tromso, is more attack minded.
Weighing the Financial Gamble
Committing over £15m for a single player represents a massive gamble in the current Scottish market. The Ibrox board has to balance the books, and spending a record fee on a defensive-minded player who managed just one goal in 45 club appearances will raise eyebrows among fans who want goals and glamour. Ferguson picked up seven yellow cards and a red last year, proving he still has that crucial nasty streak.
McInnes needs ready-made leaders for the crucial European qualifiers in August, but blowing the entire summer budget on one man leaves other glaring holes in the Rangers squad completely exposed. As leadership figures weigh whether to match Bologna’s valuation, the club must balance immediate European ambitions against long-term squad depth and financial sustainability.
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