ABERDEEN midfielder Lewis Ferguson is closing in on a £3million transfer to Bologna, according to reports.

The Scotland internationalist is an important figure at Pittodrie, having made 168 first-team appearances in four years in the North East, but is believed to be seeking a move elsewhere this summer.

Bologna - who sold former Hearts defender Aaron Hickey to Brentford in a deal worth up to £18m on Saturday morning - have been heavily linked with an approach for the central midfielder in recent weeks and it looks as if they are closing in on their man.

The Daily Mail report that Ferguson will be flying out to Italy today to finalise personal terms with the Serie A outfit and undergo a medical.

The Mail add that the deal will be worth £3million initially, but performance-related add-ons are expected to be included.

Should the deal go through, Ferguson will be the second Aberdeen player to depart Pittodrie and rake in a significant transfer fee this summer after Calvin Ramsay signed a five-year deal with Liverpool last month.