The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
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Rangers are set to step up their interest in Aberdeen midfielder Lewis Ferguson in the summer.
A report in a Sunday newspaper claimed Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard has placed 20-year-old Ferguson and Livingston forward Lyndon Dykes at the top of his target list for next season.
It would require a substantial fee to prise Ferguson away from Pittodrie.
Dons manager Derek McInnes views the midfielder as essential to his future plans with the former Hamilton Accies player under contract until 2024.
Ferguson is the son of Derek Ferguson and nephew of Barry Ferguson, who both played for Rangers.
He joined the Dons on a precontract in the summer of 2018 with a tribunal later deciding the Dons were due to pay Accies around £250,000 compensation.
Accies had hoped to land more than £1 million for developing the player, while the Dons had initially offered the Lanarkshire club around £100,000.
It was reported in November last year that Rangers were closely monitoring Ferguson’s progress at Pittodrie with Gers sporting director Ross Wilson regarding the midfielder as an ideal replacement for Glen Kamara, who has been linked with Marseille and Aston Villa.
But in November Ferguson’s father Derek played down the chances of his son making a move to Ibrox, adding: “I’ve heard nothing. All I can say is that he’s really happy up there at the moment.
“The coaching staff have been absolutely top drawer, not just Derek McInnes but the guys in the background.
“He’s well looked after and if we are talking about development there’s no better place than where he is.”
The Gers contemplated a deadline day move for Australian striker Dykes on deadline day in January before signing Hibernian’s Flo Kamberi on loan. The report in The Sun also claimed it appears likely that Rangers forward Alfredo Morelos has played his last game for the club and will be sold in the summer.