Doig priced out of move to join Lewis Ferguson
Josh Doig’s hopes of teaming up with fellow Scot, Lewis Ferguson, at Bologna appear to have been scuppered by Verona’s transfer demands.
Bologna have wanted to bring in the former Hibs full-back ever since they sold Aaron Hickey to Brentford for £15-million in the summer.
Yet while they spoke to the Leith club about him at the time, it did not happen, with the Scotland Under-21 internationalist instead opting for a £3m switch to Verona.
That move has worked out so well that his club now accept they will have to let him take a further step up, with Bologna, Atalanta, Roma, Lazio and Serie A leaders, Napoli, all potential destinations.
The presence of Doig’s countryman Ferguson at Bologna – and the great success of former Hearts defender, Hickey, in Emilia Romagna – had given them the edge over their rivals.
However, their attempt to strike a deal that would have seen Italy U-21 midfielder, Emanuel Vignato, move in the opposite direction was rejected,with Verona stating they wanted just over £6m cash for him.
Their stance is good news for Hibs, as they negotiated a sell-on fee when he left Easter Road and player-swap deals are more complex to resolve.
Bologna look set to instead target Toni Lato, whose contract with Rene Gattuso’s Valencia is about to run out. That will leave the door open for their rivals.
Napoli’s sporting director, Cristiano Giuntoli, has already spoken to his Verona counterpart about the possibility of signing the full-back.
Atalanta are also thinking about Doig, and could soon present an official offer.
Ryan Porteous, a former team-mate of the full-back at Easter Road, has been linked with a move from Hibs to Udinese.
The Scotland defender is out of contract in the summer, and looks set to depart Easter Road in the January window.
While trying his luck on the Continent would hold appeal for the 23-year-old, he also has options closer to home.
English Championship outfits, Birmingham City, and Millwall both want to bring the Scot south, and are understood to be at the head of the chase for his signature.