Rangers Urged to Wait Until 2028 as Alex Rae Right About Plan

Rangers are being urged to wait until 2028 for the £20m Transfer Target Lewis Ferguson, with former midfielder Alex Rae insisting his Plan is the only realistic route to bring the Scotland international back to Ibrox.

According to GlasgowWorld, the club currently lacks a creative midfielder who can lift performances immediately, and manager Derek McInnes cannot afford to base his recruitment on a player whose contract does not expire for two more years.

Contract timeline and valuation

Ferguson’s agreement with Bologna runs until 2028, meaning Rangers could eventually secure a free Transfer if they monitor the situation closely. Rae advises the Ibrox side to avoid paying Bologna’s current £15 million to £20 million valuation and instead focus on the contractual window.

He adds that the summer of 2027 may become particularly interesting, as the midfielder would enter the final twelve months of his deal, a period when clubs often struggle to retain valuable assets.

Personal ties and on‑field record

Ferguson grew up supporting Rangers; his father Derek and uncle Barry both represented the Glasgow club, giving the move a sentimental edge for the boyhood fan.

Since joining Bologna in 2022, the Scottish player has captained the side, helped them qualify for the Champions League and lifted the 2025 Coppa Italia – the first Scottish player to do so since Graeme Souness.

He later reflected that a summer switch to Rangers never came close, saying after the World Cup he had a long think during the holiday break but ultimately chose to continue his journey in Italy.

Rae argues that, should Ferguson reach 2028 without extending his Bologna contract, Rangers could negotiate a pre‑contract and redirect the money saved on a fee into wages and a signing‑on package, potentially offering a lucrative deal to the 28‑year‑old.

Nevertheless, McInnes must continue to identify younger midfielders who can strengthen the starting XI now, as waiting for a 2028 arrival cannot solve the squad’s immediate gaps in October or January 2027.

Maintaining contact with Ferguson remains prudent, but making him the central focus of the recruitment strategy would be risky given Bologna could improve his terms or other clubs might intervene before the 2028 window opens. SCOTLAND