Bologna captain Lewis Ferguson has attracted genuine interest from reigning Serie A holders Napoli. According to Calciomercato, Partenopei have launched exploratory talks with the 24-year-old’s camp to pip Juventus to his signature.
Napoli and Juventus are not alone in the race for the Scotland international. Three Premier League clubs are also in the mix. Aston Villa, Fulham, and Nottingham Forest all made concrete attempts to lure him closer to his home in January.
However, Ferguson has gone from strength to strength in Serie A and might choose to stay instead of moving back to the island. The player’s desire will be crucial, and it could play into the Italians’ hands. Napoli must find a suitable replacement for Inter-bound Piotr Zielinski.
Ferguson seems to be Aurelio De Laurentiis’ choice amidst an outstanding campaign. The former Aberdeen midfielder has been one of Thiago Motta’s most consistent players as Bologna bid to secure a top-four finish in Serie A for the first time in the 21st century.
Rossoblu could fall victim to their success. Motta seems destined to leave Renato Dall’Ara at the end of the season. In-demand Joshua Zirkzee and Ferguson could follow in his footsteps. But the latter won’t leave cheap. Napoli might have to allocate up to €25 million to sign the star playmaker.
It’s now a near-certainty that Napoli will undergo a squad overhaul in the summer after a miserable title-defending campaign. And Ferguson could be among the pioneers of De Laurentiis’ revolution.
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