Lewis Ferguson: Bologna jewel's market value soars amid Serie A transfer battle

Bologna’s remarkable season has them in contention for Champions League football and they’ve been led superbly by Lewis Ferguson. The Scotland international has been a revelation since moving to Italy in 2022 and he’s captained Bologna regularly this season after Nicolás Domínguez departed for Nottingham Forest in the summer.

Bologna won six Serie A games in a row before losing to Inter Milan on Sunday but they remain fourth in the table, three points ahead of Roma. Thiago Motta is developing a reputation as one of Europe’s brightest young coaches and Ferguson has been integral to Bologna’s success under the Italian. Transfermakt’s Serie A market value update was released on Tuesday and Ferguson’s valuation increased by €6 million to €24m. 

Lewis Ferguson’s market value increased by €22m in two years

Ferugson’s market value has soared since moving to Bologna from Aberdeen in July 2022. The 24-year-old was valued at €2m when he departed Scotland but in the last two years, Ferguson’s market value has increased by €22m, which is more than any Scottish player. His €22m increase is also the 15th highest of any midfielder on the planet aged between 23-30 across that time period.

Ferguson quickly cemented his place in Bologna’s starting eleven during his debut season and he made 33 appearances in all competitions, scoring seven goals. The midfielder, however, has blossomed this campaign under Motta’s tactical approach and his attacking output has also increased. Ferguson has eleven goal contributions in 29 games in all competitions - six goals and five assists - while his all-round performance levels have been excellent. The Scotland international is comfortable performing different roles in centre-midfield and he’s a certainty to be in Steve Clarke’s squad for Euro 2024.

Lewis Ferguson is now fifth most valuable Scottish player

As illustrated in the graphic above, Ferguson’s market value increase means he’s now the fifth most valuable Scottish player after overtaking Kieran Tierney and Billy Gilmour. Liverpool’s Andy Robertson remains the most valuable Scottish star with Ferguson the only player from outside the English Premier League in the top five. Despite ranking fifth, Ferguson is unlikely to earn a starting berth at the Euros this summer. The strongest area of Scotland’s squad is centre-midfield and Scott McTominay, John McGinn and Billy Gilmour have been ahead of Ferguson in Clarke’s pecking order. 

Napoli and Juventus hold transfer interest in Lewis Ferguson

Ferguson’s performances at Bologna have attracted interest from clubs across Europe, including several Serie A rivals. AC and Inter Milan have registered their interest while Napoli and Juventus are also monitoring his situation. Bologna rejected January bids for their prized asset but they’ll net a significant profit on the €2m they bought Ferguson for, if he’s sold this summer.