Lewis Ferguson believes Scottish players have become a must-have accessory for clubs in Serie A.
Udinese failed with an opening bid of £2.5million for Motherwell’s Lennon Miller earlier this week.
And, with Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour starring for a Napoli side at the summit of Italy’s top flight, Scots are now in high demand in Italy.
Striker Che Adams has scored six goals for Torino since moving from Southampton in the summer.
Former Celtic midfielder Liam Henderson is a regular for Empoli, Hibs full-back Josh Doig plays for Sassuolo in Serie B and Bologna earned a hefty profit when they sold former Hearts defender Aaron Hickey to Brentford.
Ferguson captained Bologna to their first-ever Champions League win, over Borussia Dortmund, in midweek. And the 25-year-old expects more Italian clubs to join the clamour for Scottish talent.
Ferguson celebrates his side’s Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund in midweek
Scott McTominay has been instrumental in Napoli’s surge into title contention this season
Che Adams has been a big hit at Torino and is a live threat to Ferguson’s goal record
‘The clubs over here are starting to look at the Scottish market just because of the recent success we’ve had in Italian football,’ Ferguson told Mail Sport.
‘Obviously Liam Henderson was one of the first out here. And then there was Aaron Hickey, me, Josh Doig and now the other lads that have signed this year like Billy Gilmour, Che Adams and Scott McTominay.
‘Everyone has held their own and been a success so it’s easy to see see why the Italian clubs would then go and have a look at the Scottish market and the young good Scottish players that are coming through and try to pick up the best.
‘We’ve shown that we have good talent in the league and the country and I think the evidence is there that the Italian teams are picking up on that more and more now.’
Billy Gilmour discussed his potential move to Napoli with Ferguson before putting pen to paper
Empoli’s Liam Henderson is currently playing for his FIFTH Italian club
Ferguson left Aberdeen for Bologna two and a half years ago. And the Scotland midfielder advised international team-mates Adams and Gilmour to jump at a move to Serie A in the summer.
‘I actually spoke to Che before he moved. He just gave me a call one day and said there was some Italian teams interested. He asked me about the lifestyle. He asked me about the league and how it was living here.
‘We then played Torino away just before Christmas and we had a nice chat after the game. I was obviously asking him how he’s finding life in Italy, how he’s settling in with the language and everything.
‘It’s the same with Billy. I spoke to him a lot because I’m a wee bit closer with him. So he gave me a call before he moved to Napoli and we spoke at length.
‘He was just asking me similar questions to Che. Just about lifestyle and how it is moving to a different country and playing in a different league.
‘I’ve had such a positive experience. I’ve just passed on my good experiences and they seem to have listened.
‘We played Napoli before Billy and Scott arrived, but I’m sure we’ll play them within the next few months, so I’m really looking forward to that.’
