Lewis Ferguson to Napoli transfer hinges on one thing amid prospect of Scotland midfield takeover in Naples
The Serie A champions have been heavily linked with the Bologna skipper
Bologna captain Lewis Ferguson is once again the subject of transfer interest after another fine season which ended in the club lifting silverware for the first time since 1974.
But the Scotland ace's chances of landing a big money move to Serie A champions Napoli to link up with Dark Blues pals Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour will reportedly hinge on one key decision made by Antonio Conte's side.
Former Aberdeen and Hamilton midfielder Ferguson has been heavily tipped with a switch to the south of Italy this summer, having also previously been linked with the likes of AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus.
Ferguson's hopes of going to Euro 2024 12 months ago were ended with a serious knee injury picked up near the end of the 2023/24 season but the 25-year-old has since bounced back in impressive style under Vicenzo Italiano.
The Tartan Army hero skippered Bologna to glory in the Coppa Italia with 1-0 win against AC Milan in Rome, securing a place in the revamped league stage of the Europa League next season.
However, Napoli's interest in the ex-Rangers kid will only be stepped up in the event that they lose one of their current stars.
That's according to Italian outlet Il Mattino (via calcionapoli1926) who claim that a bid for Ferguson is highly dependant on the future of midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa.
Cameron international Anguissa has been a mainstay in Gli Azzuri's engine room in recent years and scored six league goals last season en route to the club's fourth Scudetto.
But the former Fulham star is also a wanted man, amid reports that Besiktas in Turkey and Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League have both enquired about his services.
Il Mattino goes on to say that Napoli value Anguissa at around €20million and that he would need to be sold for Napoli to make an approach for Ferguson, who is said to be valued by Bologna at £25million.
Ferguson is under contract at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara until 2028, with his club side having the option of an additional year.
Last month, the player's agent Bill McMurdo admitted that Ferguson's future is entirely in the Coppa Italia winners' court.
He told TMW: "Lewis has a long-term contract and would be happy to stay until the end of it.
"We believe Bologna would be happy for him to see out his contract. However, if the club were to receive an offer they consider satisfactory, Lewis would have to consider any potential interest, but only at that point.'
Despite reports that Conte would walk out on the Naples club over a lack of transfer funds just weeks after steering the team to Serie A glory, the veteran coach has instead committed his services for another season.
Napoli have also been liked with a move for Inter Milan midfielder Davide Frattesi.
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