Josh Doig 'sparks five-way transfer battle' - and could net Hibs big sell-on fee

Former Hibs defender Josh Doig is reportedly on the radar of five Serie A clubs following his early-season performances for Hellas Verona – and his price tag could see his former club scoop a significant cut of any transfer fee.

The 20-year-old moved to Italy for £3 million in the summer with Hibs securing a significant sell-on percentage – and Verona chiefs are asking interested parties for double that price. Doig has two goals and one assist from nine games for i Gialloblu and is attracting interest from Atalanta, Bologna – who were keen on signing the player in the summer – Lazio, Napoli, and Roma, according to reports in Italy.

Roma are said to be looking for a replacement for Dutch defender Rick Karsdorp, who has supposedly been put up for sale by the club following a high-profile falling-out with head coach Jose Mourinho, and the club’s recruitment team are said to have extensively scouted Doig already this season.

Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini is understood to have been impressed by the Scotland under-21 internationalist, who has been played in a more attacking role by Verona, and made his debut against the Bergamo outfit.

Josh Doig celebrates scoring for Verona against Sampdoria

Bologna are also keeping tabs on the situation, having kept an eye on the progress of several Scots in the last two to three years. They signed left-back Aaron Hickey from Hearts in September 2020 and Aberdeen midfielder Lewis Ferguson last summer, as well as being linked with Dons defender Calvin Ramsay prior to his move to Liverpool and Doig before he joined Verona. They are also said to be sniffing around Doig’s Bentegodi team-mate Darko Lazovic.

Meanwhile, Doig’s former Easter Road team-mate Ryan Porteous is attracting interest from Udinese. The Scottish Sun reports that the 23-year-old, who is also on the radar of several English Championship clubs including Watford – who, like Udinese, are controlled by the Pozzo family – has emerged as a target for I Bianconeri.

Millwall, who failed with a bid for Porteous in January 2021, retain an interest in the Scotland internationalist but face competition from Norwich, Stoke City, Sunderland, and West Bromwich Albion, while Sheffield United have also been credited with an interest.

Porteous is free to talk to interested clubs from next month, with his Easter Road contract reaching its final six months.