Hibs midfielder linked with Serie A switch as Italians weigh up summer move for Josh Doig

Serie A side Bologna are keeping tabs on Hibs midfielder Josh Campbell ahead of a possible summer swoop, according to reports in Italy.

Il Resto del Carlino claims I Rossoblù have already scouted the 22-year-old, who has contributed nine goals and five assists so far this season, as well as ‘several [other] footballers who play in the Scottish Premiership’.

Bologna chiefs are said to like Campbell’s similarities to Lewis Ferguson, who joined them from Aberdeen last summer, and the boyhood Hibee could become a priority target if Argentinian internationalist Nicolás Domínguez declines to extend his stay at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, with veteran Chilean midfielder Gary Medel out of contract in the summer as well.

Hibs tied down Campbell on an improved deal earlier this season, with the midfielder’s current contract not expiring until the summer of 2027. Wigan, managed by ex-Easter Road boss Shaun Maloney, had an audacious attempt at a double swoop for Campbell and striker Kevin Nisbet thrown out by Hibs chiefs in January.

Josh Campbell has scored nine goals from midfield for Hibs this season

Many top-flight clubs in Italy are turning their attentions to Scotland, partly because the asking prices for players are viewed as more affordable than in other leagues. There was interest from Italy in Ryan Porteous and Jake Doyle-Hayes in January, with the centre-back eventually swapping Easter Road for Vicarage Road to join Watford, while the Irish midfielder opted to remain in the Capital.

Bologna and Spezia were both credited with an interest in Aberdeen pair Bojan Miovski and Luis ‘Duk’ Lopes last month, while Dons defender Calvin Ramsey was touted for a move to Serie A before his June 2022 move to Liverpool. Scotland internationalist Ferguson joined Bologna the following month while the same club was linked with Josh Doig before his transfer to Hellas Verona from Hibs the same summer. Bologna also signed Aaron Hickey from Hearts in September 2020 before selling him to Brentford for a significant profit last summer.

Bologna were credited with a renewed interest in Doig in January and could return in the summer for the versatile 20-year-old who has mostly operated as a wide midfielder this season. Any pursuit of the Scotland Under-21 captain is likely to hinge on whether Bologna can sign Giorgos Kyriakopoulos, currently on loan from Sassuolo, on a permanent basis.