Missed Chances, Uncertain Futures: Rangers' Midfield Conundrum Unfolds
Ferguson's Path Diverges: The Premier League Beckons
Rangers have reportedly failed in their bid to acquire the 26-year-old midfielder, Lewis Ferguson. Despite his strong family connections to Ibrox, Ferguson appears set for a transfer to the Premier League, making a return to Glasgow financially unfeasible for Rangers due to Bologna's high valuation. This situation has been publicly acknowledged by his uncle, Barry Ferguson, a former Rangers captain and manager.
A Resilient Career: From Academy Release to Serie A Success
Ferguson's professional journey is marked by remarkable resilience. After being released from the Rangers academy at 14, he revitalized his career with Hamilton Academical and later Aberdeen. His move to Bologna in 2022 for £3 million proved a resounding success, as he scored seven goals in his debut Serie A season, achieving the highest goal tally for a Scottish player in Italy since Denis Law. Even a significant ACL injury in April 2024 couldn't deter him; he subsequently led Bologna to their first Coppa Italia final in over five decades, securing the trophy in May 2025 and becoming the first Scot since Graeme Souness to do so. In the current 2025–26 season, Ferguson has accumulated 1,233 minutes and one goal, demonstrating his consistent competitive spirit, evidenced by five yellow cards and one red card.
Premier League Interest: A Long-Standing Pursuit
Journalist Pete O'Rourke, speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, highlighted that Premier League scouts have been monitoring Ferguson since his time at Aberdeen. His impressive performance in Italy has now elevated him to a top transfer target for English clubs. O'Rourke commented that a move to Rangers is no longer viable given the financial demands of Bologna. He believes Ferguson is more likely to move to the Premier League, where clubs possess the financial capacity to meet Bologna's asking price.
Rangers' Midfield Predicament: Facing a Turbulent Summer
The inability to sign Ferguson represents a considerable blow for Rangers, intensifying their looming midfield challenges. The club is grappling with a potential crisis in this area. Nicolas Raskin has been a pivotal player for Danny Röhl's squad this season, contributing five goals and seven assists across 2,620 minutes. However, former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown has cautioned that a substantial offer could compel Rangers to sell Raskin. Reports suggest that Raskin is unlikely to extend his contract, making a transfer fee exceeding £20 million a realistic possibility, particularly if he performs well at the 2026 World Cup.
Rebuilding Challenges: A Gamble on Potential
Rangers find themselves in a precarious position, having missed out on Ferguson and potentially losing Raskin to wealthier English clubs. While Jens Hjerto-Dahl, a Norway Under-21 international from Tromsø, has been suggested as a potential replacement, his strong start to the 2026 Eliteserien season, with four goals in four games, means Rangers must act swiftly to secure him. Manager Danny Röhl faces a significant rebuilding task this summer. Replacing an established talent like Raskin with a promising but less experienced player such as Hjerto-Dahl represents a calculated risk, prioritizing future potential over immediate experience. Instead of reinforcing their midfield with a proven player like Ferguson, Rangers are now confronted with the prospect of losing their most effective current midfielder.