Rangers have cut-price chance for Lewis Ferguson deal as Bologna contract talks stall

Rangers fans may be starting to dream of the possibility of signing Bologna's Lewis Ferguson after the arrival of Derek McInnes.

The Gers are said to be targeting players with the required "DNA" this summer to get them back to where they belong, and that doesn't change after the appointment of McInnes.

If anything, it's only been enhanced as the former Hearts boss will be keen to build a spine of Scottish talent.

The Rangers manager has a history with Ferguson dating back to their time together at Aberdeen, where the Scottish international made his name before moving to Italy.

While he has had good seasons in the Serie A, last term saw him struggle for game time, and with a current stall in talks for a contract extension, he could leave this summer.

Rangers would make arguably the biggest signing of the summer if they were to pry Ferguson to Ibrox, but it may be more realistic than most people think.

Keith Jackson states Rangers' 'best price' for Lewis Ferguson

Reports in Italy suggested that Bologna and Ferguson were close to reaching an agreement over a new deal recently, but a managerial change has seen things go quiet.

Rangers have since appointed McInnes as their manager, someone who Ferguson respects highly, which could be a pull factor if the Bears were to open negotiations this summer.

After a disappointing season for the Scot in Italy, Keith Jackson believes that the midfielder's price tag will have taken a tumble, which may only suits Andrew Cavenagh and Co.

Jackson said, speaking on the Daily Record's Hotline Live: “Ferguson, [Bologna] were getting mega offers. His value has come down because he’s not getting a game.

“The absolute best price you could get, and you’d be doing really well, would be £12million.”

Rangers' record signing remains the addition of Tore Andre Flo for £12m back in 2000. Some 26 years on, the Bears may have to match or exceed that offer for Ferguson.

Derek McInnes could propose Ferguson an offer too good to turn down

It would be unsurprising if McInnes still had Ferguson's number on his phone and if he were in contact with the player from time to time.

Now that the Scot has returned to Rangers, he could be backed with the biggest summer budget in the Scottish Premiership, given what Cavenagh has promised.

Gathering the money to sign Ferguson is one thing, but convincing the player to come to Ibrox is another

He has shown himself to be a top-class player in one of Europe's best divisions, and will no doubt have admirers elsewhere.

However, McInnes could promise him everything and more at Rangers, which could be enough to pry him back to his homeland of Scotland.