Rangers See Cash-Plus-Player Path to Sign Long-Term Midfield Target Amid Bologna’s Barron Pursuit: Why McInnes Must Make The Call | OneFootball

If a recent report from The Daily Record is true, Bologna remain keen on Connor Barron, having missed out on the Rangers midfield ace a couple of summers ago. Interest from the Serie A side could be a blessing in the Light Blues’ pursuit of Lewis Ferguson, as a player-plus-cash deal could be considered by both suitors.

The 23-year-old Scotland international progressed through Kintore United and Aberdeen’s academy setup before being loaned to Brechin City and Kelty Hearts in the lower leagues to gain first-team experience. McInnes saw him develop through the ranks, but the youngster made his senior debut at Pittodrie in January 2022 – less than a year after the gaffer’s departure.

Barron completed a Bosman move to Ibrox in the summer of 2024, and has since featured 83 times over the past two seasons. Rangers rebuffed Bologna’s approach last summer, and the Scot is now expected to play a key part in McInnes’s traditional 4-4-2 with two central midfielders.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – MAY 10: Connor Barron of Rangers controls the ball during the Premier League match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park on May 10, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Nevertheless, Ferguson’s profile can’t be underestimated, given his emergence for the Rossoblu since leaving Aberdeen in July 2022. He flourished under McInnes upon joining the Dons from Hamilton Academical, and has so far made 135 appearances for the Italian outfit across competitions. He was released from Rangers’ academy back in 2013, but the prospect of returning to his boyhood club has been one of the major transfer headlines early in this window.

Why Rangers Should Explore All Possibilities

Barron, who prefers to operate from deep, can also be deployed as a ‘number 8’. Ferguson, on the other hand, fits better in a hybrid central and attacking midfield role. He won’t be a like-for-like replacement for Barron, but the Glasgow giants are destined to lose Nicolas Raskin as well in the wake of his exquisite World Cup display in Belgium colours. Ferguson’s game resembles what Raskin has produced in the middle of the park, and the potential arrival of Vanja Dragojević would restore parity if both Barron and Raskin depart.

Rangers roped in Tochi Chukwuani in January after parting ways with their outcast pair Kieran Dowell and Joe Rothwell. They have successfully tied Bailey Rice down to a new contract but loaned him out to Kilmarnock for regular gametime. Mohamed Diomande offers versatility in the centre of the pitch, and the Ivorian, along with Chukwuani, Ferguson and Dragojević, should bring depth, quality and a structured, physical midfield that relies on intense work rate, defensive discipline, and rapid vertical transitions. The Gers would ideally prefer to retain Barron and rope in Ferguson at the same time, but a likely swap must not be ruled out at this point.