Connor Barron given green light by Claudio Ranieri to make dream transfer to Serie A

Claudio Ranieri has given the green light for Cagliari to offer Aberdeen star Connor Barron a dream move to Italy.

The Scotland Under-21s midfielder has been in outstanding form in recent weeks – including a top display in the Scottish Cup semi-final penalty shoot-out defeat to Celtic at Hampden. He’s out of contract at Pittodrie at the end of the season, though, and is being tipped for a move to Serie A to join former Dons team-mate Lewis Ferguson.

And reports in Italy have suggested former Leicester City title-winning boss Ranieri has made a move for Aberdeen’s Barron a high priority for next season. The 72-year-old former Chelsea, Juventus, Napoli and Atletico Madrid boss took charge of Cagliari last season – 35 years after his first spell at the club. He immediately won them promotion from Serie B and looks set to keep the Sardinian outfit in the top flight this season.

As Record Sport revealed earlier this month, Barron, 21, is also the subject of interest from Sassuolo - where his international teammate and fellow Scot Josh Doig plays. However, they look certain to be relegated to Serie B after a 5-1 thrashing from Fiorentina left them five points adrift of safety with four games left. And that has left Cagliari free to make their move.